Hot on the heels of this weekend’s announcement about Neil Jordan’s upcoming vampire pic Byzantium, comes news of an untitled film project about, you guessed it, the bloodsucking undead. According to Screen Daily, Jim Jarmusch will helm a “crypto-vampire love story” starring hot commodities Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.
While any dialogue about yet another vampire-themed flick seems gratuitous at this point, I’m cautiously optimistic. Jarmusch’s mysterious vampire romance will be set in Detroit and Tangiers, and will start filming in early 2012. Tilda Swinton and John Hurt are also onboard. Wasikowska, Fassbender and Swinton will play vampires, while Hurt will score a “feature role.” Vampire hunter maybe?
Jeremy Thomas and Reinhard Brundig will co-produce through Recorded Picture Company and Pandora Films. Jarmusch told Screen Daily that he has been imaging this project for many years, and mentioned his excitement at finally getting to make it with such “remarkable collaborators.“ Jarmusch’s last film, The Limits of Control, received mixed reviews. He’s also responsible for writing/directing Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.
His style seems heavy on imagery, light on dialogue. It comes as little surprise that he describes his new project as a “crypto” vampire love story. I’m sure there’ll be great visual metaphor, but audiences might have a hard time understanding what the hell is going on.
He certainly won the Hollywood jackpot with his ensemble cast, as Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) and Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) are two hot up-and-comers. Wasikowska co-starred with Fassbender in Jane Eyre earlier this year, and she’s set to star in the oddly vampire-free Stoker, as well as A View from the Bridge, Restless, and The Wettest Country in the World.
Wasikowska is definitely a young actress I think has ample talent, and likeability. Fassbender came out of nowhere a few years ago (aka TV) and is not only the star of hugely anticipated X-Men: First Class, but is slated for/currently shooting seven pics which include Ridley Scott’s sci-fi giant Prometheus and the remake Excalibur. He’s fun to watch, no matter what role he’s taking on, and I’m glad he’s making his way toward the A list.
