It's full steam ahead for Luca Guadagnino. Not only is the Italian director gearing up for the premiere of Challengers and later this year, the launch of his adaptation of Queer, but it appears he's working behind the scenes to bring a beloved Italian novel to life. More importantly, it appears Guadagnino has Challengers lead Josh O'Connor in mind for the starring role. All the details about Luca Guadagnino's upcoming project, below.

The film is based on Italian novel Separate Rooms

We'd love a tour through Luca Guadagnino's library. The director has proven his fondness of adapting novels, with Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All both based on books. His next film will be based on the 1989 novel Camere Separate by Italian author Pier Vittorio Tondelli, who tragically died of AIDS in 1991 at the age of 36.

Prior to his death, Tondelli left behind a small but charming body of work, which includes titles like Altri Libertini and Pao Pao. His best known work is Camere Separate, which translates to Separate Rooms in English.

The novel follows two lovers, Leo and Thomas, as their romance unfolds across Europe. Told from Italian writer Leo's perspective in three parts or "movements", the book blends past memories with the present day. It details Leo's first encounter with Thomas, a Berlin-based pianist, in Paris and how their relationship develops over three years. Though they are lovers, they don't live together and meet at various locations like Florence, Milan and Munich, until Thomas' untimely death (this isn't a spoiler, by the way). Much of the book muses on grief, longing and loneliness – some of Guadagnino's favourite themes.

Who has been cast?

Variety reported that Guadagnino is in advanced talks with Josh O'Connor to star as Leo – apparently O'Connor has already begun Italian lessons in preparation for the role. The rest of the casting details are yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, the film’s screenplay will be written by Francesca Manieri, who previously worked with Guadagnino on the HBO. series We Are Who We Are starring Francesca Scorsese.

Release date

It's too early to know when the project will be released. Watch this space.

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