Charlotte Gainsbourg (Melancholia, Nymphomaniac Vol I and II) is in talks to join thriller The Snowman, which would see her star alongside Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson. The adaptation of the bestselling novel by Jo Nesbo is set to be directed by Tomas Alfredson (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), which adds to the high caliber expectations for this dark and suspenseful tale.
Adapted by Matthew Michael Carnahan (World War Z), the story features Nesbo’s recurring character of Detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender), and follows his attempts to solve the mystery of murdered mothers who are found under the watchful gaze of snowmen, left at the crime scenes. Hole is assisted by Katrine Bratt (Ferguson), and their investigations draw them deeper into a darker connection with each other, with the victims, and with their case as a whole.
The story is notable for its use of a flashback narrative device, and it will be interesting to see if that is retained in Carnahan’s adaptation. With Martin Scorsese on board as executive producer, Carnahan’s experience at writing dramatic characters caught up in potentially terrifying situations, and Alfredson’s ability to tease out intrigue and ratchet up the tension, The Snowman looks to be a movie to watch for.
While the addition of Charlotte Gainsbourg is an enormous boost to any project, casting of The Snowman is clearly still in its early stages. With the profile of Michael Fassbender continuing to rise to dizzy heights with the awards buzz surrounding his role in Steve Jobs, however, it will undoubtedly not take long for the rest of the roles on offer to be filled.
A release date has yet to be set, but the production is apparently looking tentatively at a 2017 theatrical debut.
