Alexander Payne is heading to Scandinavia for his next film — and he’s bringing a great actress along the ride with him.
Renate Reinsve, the Norwegian actress of “The Worst Person in the World,” and “Sentimental Value,” is leading Payne’s upcoming “Somewhere Out There.” No word yet on the rest of the cast.
According to Production Weekly, the film, which marks the Oscar-nominated filmmaker’s first foray into European cinema, is aiming for an early 2026 shoot in Denmark. Payne’s “The Holdovers” DP Eigil Bryld will come along for the ride.
Plot details remain tightly under wraps, though Screen reports the screenplay comes from Norwegian novelist and screenwriter Erlend Loe, based on an original concept by Swedish filmmaker Åke Sandgren.
Payne is working on a few other projects, but this one seems to to be next on tap. He’s also in development on a sequel to 1999’s “Election”, starring Reese Whitherspoon. Payne confirmed that the film was set up as a streaming film with Paramount “a few years ago […] because everybody sees more money in that,” but that he wants the deal changed for a theatrical release.
Also in development, Payne’s 19th century western, which is supposed to star Paul Giamatti, and will be written by ‘Holdovers’ scribe David Hemingson.
Payne is coming off 2023’s Oscar-nominated “The Holdovers.” His most notable, and acclaimed, works include “Election,” “About Schmidt,” “Sideways,” and “Nebraska.”