Cate Blanchett & Mia Wasikowska To Star In John Crowley's Patricia Highsmith Adaptation 'Carol'

In the days before Andrew Garfield was Peter Parker or Eduardo Saverin , the actor made a name for himself as a blue collar worker trying to hide a dark past in John Crowley's excellent debut "Boy A.". Years later, the actor is now on the brink of stardom but Brit helmer Crowley, a stage veteran behind the likes of "The Pillowman" and Hugh Jackman/Daniel Craig Broadway hit "A Steady Rain," as well as the Michael Caine-starring "Is Anybody There" hasn't quite skyrocketed in the same way. However he's currently shooting a tantalizing-sounding thriller starring Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall, and he's now set to team two major talents for literary adaptation that's more than a little promising

According to a press release, Aussie actresses Mia Wasikowska and Cate Blanchett will star in Crowley's adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's "Carol" (also known as "The Price Of Salt") with a script by Phyllis Nagy ("Mrs Harris"). The '50's New York-set tale follows the story of two women; one a 20-something girl working in a department store while harbouring bigger dreams, the other a middle aged wife trapped in a money-driven, loveless marriage. It seems fairly obvious what roles each thesp will take with the promise of a character driven period drama featuring the two highly exciting considering what Crowley was able to do with "Boy A." We're not familiar with the source material, but it sounds more melodrama than her usual thriller (the author, of course, was the writer of "Strangers On A Train" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley").

It's another very strong choice for young Wasikowska, who's got "Lawless," "Stoker" and Richard Ayoade's "The Double" on the way, and the idea of her teaming up with Blanchett (who'll work with Woody Allen and Terrence Malick before this) is a very exciting one. Produced by Number 9 Films' Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley, along with Film4, the project is being shopped around at Cannes as we speak with hopes of getting in front of cameras next February in London and New York, once Crowley's done with his current project.