First Look: Isabelle Huppert as Mob Boss in Yann Demange’s ‘Lineage’

Back in 2023, director Yann Demange was hired to replace Bassam Tariq on Marvel's "Blade." We all know how that one turned out: Demange exited the following year, and the project eventually fell apart.

In any case, Demange — who has directed only two films, "'71" and "White Boy Rick" — has now made his first in eight years, and it stars Isabelle Huppert as a mob boss. Sold!

"Lineage," set in modern London, follows Tariq, a man rebuilding his life after prison and striving to carve out a new path for himself and his young son, Amine. When his brother pleads for help, Tariq is pulled back into the London criminal underworld and the dangerous orbit of their crime-boss mother (Huppert).

Developed over a number of years, the film is based on a story by Demange, who describes "Lineage" as a "very personal" project and a love letter to the London he grew up in — a version of the city seldom seen on screen. The screenplay is by Enda Walsh ("Hunger").

Shooting is currently underway in London, with Huppert joined in the cast by Dali Benssalah ("No Time to Die"), Adam Bessa and Raye. A premiere next year is being eyed.

Huppert is one of the great actresses of the last four decades, and Demange showed real promise with "'71" before stumbling a bit with his Hollywood debut, "White Boy Rick,” and participating in the hell that was Marvel’s “Blade.” Still, he has talent, and we'll keep an eye on this one.