Is Jessica Chastain Joining Or Replacing Michelle Williams In Liv Ullman's 'Miss Julie'?

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by Kevin Jagernauth
January 7, 2013 3:13 PM
10 Comments

Last summer, cinephiles got a bit of a surprise when Ingmar Bergman's muse Liv Ullmann revealed that she was preparing to shoot her next directorial project, "Miss Julie," this year in Ireland, and that Michelle Williams was reportedly attached. The movie is an adaptation of August Strindberg's classic Swedish play, a controversial work exploring power, sexuality, class, identity, love and gender set in 1874, and Ullmann said she'd "use Irish actors as servants and British as the masters of the house." But could she be gaining another excellent actress to her class?

At a press conference today for the upcoming, Guillermo Del Toro-produced horror "Mama," star Jessica Chastain was asked what she'd be doing next. "It hasn't been announced but it might be a Strindberg thing. It hasn't been announced yet," she teased. When pressed if it was "Miss Julie," the actress put her finger to her nose. So yeah, not exactly the most rock solid of confirmations, and it raises more questions than it answers, but let's speculate briefly, okay?

The story concerns the titular Julie, who is drawn to Jean, a footman, who in turn is engaged to Christine, a servant and cook. And the play revolves around the powerplay between the three. The latter part of Christine is sort of a second fiddle role, and we don't see Chastain taking it on, so we figure she's replacing Williams. But if both are involved? Just sell us a ticket already, we're in.

So we'll see how this develops, and hopefully an official announcement is forthcoming, but Ullman + Chastain in any variation is one to look forward to. -- reporting by Drew Taylor.

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More: Miss Julie, Jessica Chastain, Michelle Williams

10 Comments

| Reply
Chris | February 3, 2013 7:05 PMReply

This woman is so mediocre and overrated!
1974 | January 17, 2013 9:25 PMReply

She will be replacing Michelle Williams if it happens, she reffered in this interview that she might play Julie 55:33 minute mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfj3OIqnpMI it's on
jingmei | January 7, 2013 10:07 PMReply

Jessica Chastain rocks, and this roles suits her since she's a "theater nerd".
Sketch | January 7, 2013 4:03 PMReply

Does anyone care??? NO.
d | January 7, 2013 5:07 PM

@Sketch: It's a movie news site. What do you expect?
BEF | January 7, 2013 4:50 PM

I do. Some folks care more about the pairing of actors with visionaries. I don't care about comic book adaptations but I know people do. There's at least a niche market for everything.
MAL | January 7, 2013 4:11 PM

Umn... Actually, I do. I'm a huge fan of Ullmann's work in front of and behind the camera and am fond of Strindberg. Jessica Chstain has already proven to be an actress of remarkable range and I would love to see her take this on. So perhaps you may want to think twice before speaking for the entire population of the planet.
Jessica | January 7, 2013 3:15 PMReply

The same site that made fun of Jason Flemyng semi-confirming that Matthew Vaughn was directing Star Wars runs this crap? You guys are the worst.
I seriously hope you guys ross douthat | January 7, 2013 7:15 PM

God, how *could* they run this? *Everyone* knows she's doing McG's all-star version of 'Dream Play'.
Anon | January 7, 2013 4:12 PM

Not even in the same stratosphere.