Serena, the adaptation of Ron Rash's 2008 novel, has already landed an excellent pair of leads in Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, and today it roped in some amazing supporting actors as well.
Rhys Ifans, who is set to have a great year with both The Five-Year Engagement and The Amazing Spider-Man coming out in a few months, and Toby Jones have been added to the cast of the upcoming thriller, which is being directed by Susanne Bier. The story, set in 1929 North Carolina, is about a pair of newlyweds who start up their own timber business and stop at nothing to make sure that it grows. But when Serena (Lawrence) discovers that she can't have children of her own, she takes it out on her husband's illegitimate son. According to Variety, Ifans will play an Appalachian guide named Galloway who becomes Serena's protector after she saves his life. Jones, who co-stars with Lawrence in the upcoming The Hunger Games, will play the local law enforcement, Sheriff McDowell, who is keeping a close eye on Cooper's character's dealings.
The project was originally in development with Darren Aronofsky at the helm and Angelina Jolie set to star in the title role. 2929 Entertainment is producing the film with co-financing from Studiocanal. Though the trade doesn't mention when the movie will go into production, though previous reports have said "soon."
I was already on-board with this movie once I read the plot description, but the cast they are assembling is utterly fantastic. Bier has some solid titles in her resume and it will be interesting to see what she does with this one.
