Scarlett Johansson’s got a lot of reasons to be happy. A career which has given her the joy of starring in small-budget indies and big blockbusters is about to expand further. The Truman Capote novel, Summer Crossing, is slated to be her first stab at getting behind the camera. While this news broke two years back, the project has now secured financing and international sales kick off this week at Cannes.
The story revolves around a 17-year old New York debutante, Grady McNeil. Ignoring the travel plans her parents arrange, she remains in the city and embarks on a romance with a Jewish valet attendant. A work close to Johansson’s heart, the actress sounded elated to be directing it:
“Several years ago I began working alongside the Capote estate and writer Tristine Skylar to adapt Summer Crossing, an inspired early work of Truman’s which has long captured my heart. Being able to bring this story to the screen as my full length directorial debut is a life dream and deep privilege.”
Aldamisa are set to produce the film, with Oleg Boyko (Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For). International sales are on the table for Cannes, while the US market is being targeted by CAA.
Summer Crossing was author Capote’s first novel. He later went on to pen Breakfast At Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood. Both were huge successes and were later adapted for the big screen. His first tome almost went unread, after Capote alleged he had destroyed the manuscript. This turned out to be false, as apparently a house sitter in an apartment formerly rented by the author retrieved it. The book sold at auction in 2004 and it was published in 2006.
The directing opportunity of a lifetime? Nice work, m’lady. Sounds like Hollywood could have another much-needed female director in the making.
Summer Crossing is slated to begin production in early 2014.
