Director Brad Anderson isn't wasting any time between projects. His latest film, The Call starring Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin, arrives in theaters today, and already he has found the leading lady for his next movie.
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Kate Beckinsale is now in talks for Eliza Graves, a new psychological thriller that is based on the 1945 short story "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" by Edgar Allan Poe. Should she sign on, the actress would star as the titular character, a Harvard Medical School graduate who goes to work at an insane asylum. After beginning a relationship with one of the doctors, she discovers that the patients have overtaken the facility. Production will begin this June in Bulgaria.
Anderson actually has some experience making thrillers in mental hospitals, as he got his big break directing the 2001 legitimately terrifying Session 9. He is best known, however, for directing The Machinist, starring Christian Bale, for which the star dropped 60 pounds. He also has an extensive resume working on television, directing episodes of shows like Boardwalk Empire, Fringe, The Killing, Treme and Person of Interest.
After taking a couple years off, Beckinsale had a big year in 2012, starring in Contraband with Mark Wahlberg; releasing the fourth installment of the Underworld franchise, Underworld: Awakening; and playing one of the main villains opposite Colin Farrell in her husband Len Wiseman's Total Recall remake. She recently completed production on the Karen Moncrieff written-and-directed drama The Trials of Cate McCall, which co-stars James Cromwell and Nick Nolte.
