Is Tom Hooper finally out of director’s jail? Inflicting “Cats” upon an unsuspecting public, Hooper appears ready to rejoin polite cinematic society, having now attached himself to a hot package, which is set to hit the Cannes market next week.
Natalie Portman is set to star in Hooper’s “Photograph 51,” a film is inspired by the life of Rosalind Franklin, a pioneering British scientist whose groundbreaking work in x-ray crystallography led to the discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure.
The screenplay, adapted from Anna Ziegler’s acclaimed play, explores the challenges Franklin faced in a male-dominated field and raises questions about how James Watson and Francis Crick received global recognition—eventually a Nobel Prize—without acknowledging her contribution.
“Photograph 51” will delve into Franklin’s quest to unlock the secrets of DNA, her professional rivalries, and the systemic barriers that kept her achievements out of the spotlight. Described variously as the “dark lady of DNA” and a “feminist icon,” Franklin died at just 37, her scientific legacy only fully appreciated decades later.
Since the critical and commercial disappointment of “Cats,” Hooper decided to take a step back from filmmaking. He pivoted to commercials, directing ads for Vodafone, McDonald’s, Santander, and Vanish—because nothing says Oscar pedigree like stain remover.
In February 2024, Hooper resurfaced, revealing he's been quietly developing new projects and is now itching to return to directing. Apparently, the trauma of anthropomorphic feline nightmares had worn off.
Let’s not forget: Hooper was once the Academy’s darling. From 2010 to 2015, he helmed the prestige trifecta— “The King's Speech” (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay), “Les Misérables” (eight nominations, three wins), and “The Danish Girl” (an Oscar for Alicia Vikander). Then came “Cats,” and the curtain fell hard.