Now that we can finally and securely anticipate the premiere of Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch - his latest film which famously was put on hold from releasing due to COVID-19's grip on the world in 2020 and onwards - it looks like Anderson is ready to tackle his next project already.
And what was rumoured to be a romance filming in Rome, Italy, this spring, has now been reported by El Pais to be filming in Chinchón, Spain, this summer, with Tilda Swinton, Tom Hanks and maybe Bill Murray no less! Things are looking up. Here's what we know about the untitled film so far.
What is the plot?
Unfortunately for us, the jury is firmly out on the plot of the film. The name has also not been released yet, so we remain thoroughly in the dark on the major details of the project to our dismay. More on this as it comes, though.
Where is it being filmed, and when?
This is the one thing we actually have quite a bit of information on. It has been reported that sets for Anderson’s untitled project are underway in terms of building, and can be seen on the outskirts of a town in Spain called Chinchón, which is located in south east Madrid, and will be ready for shooting across July, August, and September, reports El Pais. Reportedly, what can be seen from the distance, is the set including a mock train station and landscapes synonymous of a classic Western film, despite there being no word of that being the official genre of the film. According to the mayor of the small Spanish town, Francisco Javier Martínez, the production is “very important for the city. It is true that we have been the usual location for numerous filming, but that a great American production disembarks here for many months gives us life, category and publicity,” Martínez told the Spanish newspaper. “We have mediated negotiations with the Parador, the hotels, the rural houses... They are going to take over everything. The theatre will be their centre of operations and they will even be able to shoot there, ” he went on to explain.
With details about the film itself firmly under wraps, it leaves us to wonder if this is the same romance film Wes Anderson was slated to direct in Rome this year, or if he's tacked on another project to add to his European tour.
Wes Anderson will start shooting his new film at Chinchón (village near Madrid, Spain) this summer. It will be a western! https://t.co/ssJCYbENhL pic.twitter.com/uhjLeQRPUj
— r/WesAnderson (@rWesAnderson) May 14, 2021
Who has been cast?
At this point, Swinton is the only cast member who as been confirmed for the duo's fifth filmic collaboration together. With Anderson's clear conviction to cast-repeat in his films, it leaves us to wonder who else may be returning for the project. As it would seem, there have been whispers form those close to the production saying Bill Murray has been cast too, which makes sense considering the duo have worked on nine projects together. Could that mean Timothée Chalamet makes a cameo? Only time can tell.
The latest bout of whispers tell that another two legends will be joining the project. Apparently, Tom Hanks and Margot Robbie are set to join the cast too. It would be his first time either Hanks or Robbie have ever worked with Wes Anderson and we're very intrigued to see where this will go. More recently, it was also announced that Scarlett Johansson would also have a stake in Anderson's latest project; and even though she has worked with the director before, this will be her first time appearing in one of his live-action efforts.
As is the case with most of Anderson's films, we are yet to find out exactly what their roles in the film will be.
What about a release date?
Is there a release date? For now, all we have is speculation of a release date in 2022, and the sweet promise of The French Dispatch around the corner. Stay tuned for updates.
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