Albert Serra’s long-gestating English-language debut “Out of This World” has hit a major casting shakeup. Originally announced back in December, the film was set to star Kristen Stewart, but she’s now been replaced by Riley Keough.
According to Serra, Stewart had initially signed on but backed out after the filmmaker made key changes to the script. “She changed her mind,” Serra explained, adding that the new direction of the film didn’t sit well with the actress.
Keough, granddaughter of Elvis Presley, has carved a path in Hollywood with her roles in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “American Honey,” “Zola,” and “Sasquatch Sunset.”
Stewart’s departure won’t leave a void for long— Keough has stepped in to replace her in the lead role. The project, which tackles U.S.-Russia tensions during the ongoing Ukraine conflict, follows an American delegation sent to Russia to resolve an economic dispute tied to sanctions.
Serra describes it as a film exploring “the eternal rivalry between Russia and the USA.” A summer 2025 shoot is tentatively planned, but Serra says there are still hurdles: “The Americans keep emailing legal documents,” he noted with bemusement.
Serra’s recent work has gained momentum. After the Cannes breakout “Pacifiction” in 2022, the Spanish auteur returned last year with “Afternoons of Solitude,” a meditative bullfighting documentary that took the top prize at San Sebastian. Before that, his films “The Death of Louis XIV” and “Liberté” marked him as one of the more uncompromising voices in European cinema—arthouse to the core, but impossible to ignore.
With “Out of This World,” Serra looks poised to finally break through to a wider international audience.
I actually find that number optimistic. Tickets for “Digger” go on sale next Tuesday, and presales will give us a better picture of how bad it’s looking.