French indie director Oliver Assayas has a new HBO show on the way titled Irma Vep, and has cast Alicia Vikander to star as the lead in the television series.
Assayas will write and direct the limited series, which is roughly based on his 1996 film of the same name. The plot follows an American movie star named Mira (Vikander), who is disillusioned by her career and recent heartbreak, who travels to France to star as “Irma Vep” in a new iteration of the French silent film classic, “Les Vampires.” The show will be a crime thriller, and sees Mira come to confront her true self and the character she has to play, as the two appear to merge into one.
Assayas' original film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and starred Maggie Cheung as a fictionalised version of herself.
“When the opportunity arose to partner with Alicia and Olivier we jumped at the chance,” said executive vice president of HBO programming, Francesca Orsi, in a statement. “Olivier is a master at weaving unique narratives imbued with levity and drama and Alicia is one of the most versatile, celebrated actors of our time. They have an undeniable, distinct vision for the reimagining of Olivier’s cult classic film, and we can’t wait to tell it with them.”
“I am immensely grateful to Alicia, A24, and HBO for giving me the incredible opportunity to explore and expand Irma Vep in a series format,” said Assayas. “This is a comedy that will try and catch the zeitgeist the same way the original Irma Vep did, in a very different world, a very different era, that right now feels light years away.”
“I have been a long-time admirer of Olivier and his work,” added Vikander. “I am very excited for us to work together, and to be a part of the expanded universe of his superb cult classic, ‘Irma Vep.’ There are a lot of brilliant people coming together and I am delighted to be partnering with HBO and A24 on this special project.”
As the cherry on top, the series will be produced by A24, which will further the studio’s relationship with HBO. Euphoria creator Sam Levinson is on board to executive produce alongside Assayas and Vikander, which we know will mean it's one to watch.
