The Grace Kelly biopic Grace of Monaco has been blessed with buzz since it was a spec script bouncing around the desks of Hollywood players. In 2011 it made the prestigious Black List, and shortly thereafter secured Olivier Dahan, the heralded director of the Oscar-winning Edith Piaf biopic La vie en rose, to helm. Soon Nicole Kidman signed on to play the movie star turned princess, and was later joined by Tim Roth and Parker Posey, slated to play her prince and frenemy respectively.
With cameras now rolling on this promising picture, Variety reports Derek Jacobi, one of England's most respected thespians, has been added to the incredible ensemble cast. Jacobi, who has appeared in such Academy Award-courting efforts as My Week With Marilyn, The King's Speech, and Gladiator, will portray Count Fernando D'Aillieres. Described as a "flamboyant aristocrat," D'Aillieres was an ally to Kelly as she attempted to learn the ways of her new homeland as well as the rules of royalty.
Scripted by Arash Amel, Grace of Monaco will focus specifically on a tumultuous time in Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier, when his tax laws caused conflict with France. As D'Aillieres, Jacobi will likely serve as a confidante character, in the vein of Stanley Tucci's real-talking Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada. Jacobi, who was knighted in 1994 for his contribution to British theater, should bring a welcomed sense of regality and wit to the role, and so is a grand addition to the cast that also includes Robert Lindsay, Paz Vega, Frank Langella and Geraldine Somerville.
Grace of Monaco is now filming in France, and is expected to hit theaters in 2014.
