It had been rumored that Leonardo DiCaprio was circling Guillermo del Toro’s Shape of Water follow-up film, though those rumors seemed to wither with the news of Bradley Cooper’s interest in the project, with DiCaprio passing. Cooper’s involvement is now being reported as still up in the air, as well as more casting speculation.
Cate Blanchett is now in talks to star opposite Cooper in del Toro’s film, to be financed by TSG Entertainment and distributed by Fox Searchlight.
The film is an adaptation of the 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham set in a seedy underbelly of conmen and shysters, against the backdrop of mysticism and a traveling carnival. The carnival’s promoter enters a scheme with its resident mystic, with events spiraling out of control quickly. It was previously adapted into a film in 1947, then starring Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell, directed by Edmund Goulding.
The upcoming adaptation will be co-written by del Toro and Kim Morgan, and looks to start production in early 2020.
Cate Blanchett Eyes Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Nightmare Alley’ With Bradley Cooper (EXCLUSIVE) [Variety]
