Jessica Chastain has had an exciting day. The actress has launched her own production company and is reportedly in talks to star in Aaron Sorkin’s first film as director.
Chastain started Freckle Films, which also signed a first look deal with Maven Pictures Deadline reports. Freckle has already optioned two books to be developed as movies: Greer Macallister’s The Magician’s Lie and Camille Pagan’s Life and Other Near-Death Experiences.
The Magician’s Lie is about a female illusionist accused of killing her husband with one of her stage props and forced to prove her innocence. Life and Other Near-Death Experiences centers on a woman who is diagnosed with cancer and learns that her husband is secretly gay on the same day.
Maven was founded by The Kids Are All Right’s Celine Rattaray and Trudie Styler, who worked on Still Alice. One of the company’s upcoming projects is Wildling with Bel Powley.
“Trudie and Celine are not only both highly experienced and successful producers, but the projects they’ve created demonstrate their tenacious dedication to strong characters and compelling stories that clearly resonate with audiences,” Chastain said in a statement to Deadline. “It’s an honor to work with them, as well as their company, one that mirrors many of the goals that I aspire to achieve with Freckle Films.”
This wasn’t the only good news for the two-time Oscar nominee. Chastain was also offered the lead role in Molly’s Game, reports TheWrap. The film will be directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter Sorkin and is set up at Sony.
Chastain starred in both The Martian and Crimson Peak in 2015. She will next be seen in The Huntsman: Winter’s War and has several smaller projects on her schedule, including Xavier Dolan’s The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.