Remaining in largely the same sub-genre from last year’s gothic-horror Crimson Peak, prolific filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has started to cast the net in search of an ensemble to topline his latest creative venture – an otherworldly and as-yet-untitled Cold War romance.
Ever the master of keeping audiences on tenterhooks, details regarding del Toro’s new project are shrouded in mystery for the time being, though we understand that Shannon is in line to join a cast that already boasts Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, and Michael Stuhlbarg.
Set against the throes of the Cold War, The Hollywood Reporter also notes that the Midnight Special star has been offered the villain role in the “mysterious and magical journey,” which evokes more than a few memories of Guillermo del Toro’s older films, including Pan’s Labyrinth and The Devil’s Backbone in particular.
If Crimson Peak was a step towards the director’s horror roots, then this untitled supernatural tale looks to ooze the mystical sensibilities that helped del Toro carve out a reputation during the early stages in his career. Now considered one of the best storytellers in the business, it’s hardly surprising that the filmmaker’s all-star period drama has garnered excitement from fans. All we need now is an official title.
Guillermo del Toro remains attached to Pacific Rim 2 as executive producer, which today set sights on a tentative 2018 release date. As for Michael Shannon, the Man of Steel star will be seen opposite Armie Hammer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Amy Adams in Nocturnal Animals.