Since Marion Cotillard broke on to the world stage in 2007 with the heartbreaking Edith Piaf biopic La vie en rose, she's been captivating audiences and critics. She's starred in big action blockbusters like Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. She's appeared in gritty dramas like Little White Lies and Contagion. And she's stayed in the award season conversation thanks to Midnight in Paris, then Rust and Bone. But with award season limping into its final days, Cotillard is looking ahead to what might make her the talk of the red carpet walk next year. And it just might be Diary of a Chambermaid.
Variety reports Cotillard has been approached to headline French director Benoit Jacquot's in-the-works adaptation of the classic Octave Mirbeau 1900 novel. Should she sign on, this gorgeous leading lady would play the drama's heroine Celestine, the titular chambermaid whose job gives her a unique insight into the perversions of the upper class at the turn of the century. This would mark the first time Cotillard and Jacquot have collaborated. But before she commits, the French stunner must read the screenplay penned by Jacquot and Helene Zimmer.
This $8.7 million production will be the fourth time Diary of a Chambermaid has been adapted into a feature film. The first was a 1946 American movie of the same name, directed by Jean Renoir and starring Paulette Goddard, who is best remembered as the love interest of Charlie Chaplin in silent classic Modern Times. The second—and most well known—was a 1964 film from surrealist auteur Luis Bunuel; it starred French icon Jeanne Moreau. The third was a little-known French parody from 1974 called Celestine, Maid at Your Service, Spanish actress Lina Romay starred.
While it's been a story told again and again, the promise of pairing Cotillard and Jacquot is enticing. He's bringing much of his trusted crew from the acclaimed Fairwell, My Queen with him, including producer Kristina Larsen, set designer Katia Wyszkop, and costumers Christian Gasc and Valerie Ranchoux. With Cotillard at its core to provide a layered and riveting performance, this old story would be sure to find new relevance. So, here's hoping she signs on.
Diary of a Chambermaid is expected to roll into production in March of 2014.
