‘Longlegs' Star Maika Monroe Joins Horror ‘Victorian Psycho' Ahead Of Summer Shoot; Project In Talks With New U.S. Buyers After Previous A24 Exit — Cannes Market
Monroe takes on the lead role of the young, eccentric governess Winifred Notty, who in 1858 arrives at the remote gothic manor known as Ensor House. Her responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family's history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies. As Winifred assimilates into life at Ensor House, staff members begin to inexplicably disappear, and the owners of the estate begin to wonder if there is something amiss about their new governess.
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As previously announced, Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho) is also cast. Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) directs from a script by author Virginia Feito (Mrs. March), based on her novel of the same name. Production is being lined up to begin in August of this year.
As we revealed late last year, A24 had boarded the project for domestic. However, we can reveal today that the company exited soon after Qualley left some months ago and before Monroe came aboard. No reason was given to us for the departures. We understand Anton has been in talks with other domestic buyers and has already pre-sold the film to multiple international markets. Additional casting is in process. These are the slings and arrows of independent finance and this is a buzzy project that has already withstood the exit of Qualley not long before the intended March shoot and is now pushing forward with another in-demand lead actress and with another domestic buyer likely aboard soon. Kudos to the producers for weathering the storm.
Pic is produced by Dan Kagan (Longlegs) under his Traffic. banner as well as Sébastien Raybaud (Greenland: Migration) for Anton and Wigon, in association with Anonymous Content. Nick Shumaker, Bard Dorros and Virginia Feito will executive produce. This will be the third collaboration between Monroe and Kagan following Significant Other and Longlegs.
Anton is fully financing the film and is representing international rights. U.S. rights are co-represented by Anton, UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance.
Director Wigon said: 'Maika's intense screen presence has resonated with me over and over again throughout her history of complex performances. I'm absolutely thrilled for her to bring her unique style of psychological portraiture to the fascinatingly bizarre Winifred Notty.'
Monroe most recently starred opposite Nicolas Cage in last year's psychological horror hit Longlegs. She has become well-established in the horror genre following her performance in hit It Follows which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. Additional credits, which both premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, include the cult thriller The Guest and Chloe Okunu's directorial debut Watcher. She is due to start production in the lead role in Reminders of Him, Universal's adaptation of the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover.
Monroe is repped by Entertainment 360, WME, and Felker Toczek.
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