Rachel Weisz Joins Nicole Kidman In 'The Danish Girl'

by The Playlist
February 13, 2011 2:12 AM
4 Comments

Actress Also Loosely Attached To The Child Kidnapping Drama 'Snatch Back'

The gestating transgendered drama "The Danish Girl," with Nicole Kidman has had several false starts since it was announced in September 2009. Originally, Tomas Alfredson, the filmmaker behind the lauded Swedish vampire drama, "Let The Right One In," was going to make the picture his English-language directorial debut with Kidman and Charlize Theron in the lead roles. But for one reason or another, talent kept dropping out of the picture. First Theron bowed out, only to be replaced with Gwyneth Paltrow. Then Alfredson left to direct "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," evidently exiting the project after being refused more time to develop the script written by Lucinda Coxon. Another Swede, Lasse Hallström took over the directing reins last year and then, delaying things even further, Paltrow exited the project in April of 2010.

Based on a novel by David Ebershoff, the film is a 1930s-set story chronicling the first-ever sex-change patient, Einar Wegener, a male Danish artist whose love affair with his wife — fellow Danish artist Gerda Wegener — set him on the path to an eventual male-to-female operation.

While Marion Cotillard was once rumored to have taken over the role, Rachel Weisz is now attached to play Wegener and Kidman -- as was the original plan -- will play the transgendered protagonist.

While we've been told recently that Weisz has only been tentatively attached and the project is still without proper financing, according to THR the film will shoot this summer. In June of last year, it was reported that the film had received €1.2 million ($1.5 million) in subsidy financing from Germany's NRW Film Board on the condition that its planned 19-day shoot would take place in Germany. It's unclear where this has netted out as of now.

A co-production between Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films, Anne Harrison's Harrison Pictures, Pretty Pictures and Kathy Morgan International, if Hallström is shooting "The Danish Girl" this summer his work it going to be cut out for him. Currently he is in post-production on "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," with Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor and Kristin Scott Thomas. He's also set to shoot "The Hypnotist," later this year. If this his full-speed ahead comeback year? After rather lame dramas like, "Dear John," we sure hope so.

Speaking of Weisz, insiders also tell us that she is tentatively attached to "Snatch Back," the true story about a woman who was married to a Jordanian man who took her child. Then she goes to work for a shady ex-Black Water agent and ends up becoming the foremost expert in "snatching back" kidnapped children. Set up over at Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment with producer James LaVigne, no formal deal is in place, but Weisz has had some involvement in the development process. A new draft of the script is being worked on now, but consider this one of many in the possible queue.

To set more matters straight, Weisz, and Daniel Craig were also recently rumored to be part of a Czech-filmed picture about the Communist show trials of Hungary, but reps for the actors have said their involvement is “completely untrue.”

More: Films, Actresses, The Danish Girl, Rachel Weisz

4 Comments

| Reply
Amy | February 14, 2011 8:01 AMReply

Well, Tilly, you sure took time out of your schedule to click on the link and comment, didn't you? you care.

Fingers crossed, it gets going!
Katty | February 14, 2011 5:54 AMReply

Hey Tilly, speak for yourself. I love Rachel Weisz and Nicole Kidman and i can't wait for this film as well.
Tilly | February 14, 2011 5:42 AMReply

Two of the most boring actresses in a movie about a subject no one cares about.
Howard | February 13, 2011 6:26 AMReply

Two of the best actors working today (Weisz And Kidman) in one movie. I'm already sold.