James Mangold is attached to direct “Seducing Ingrid Bergman,” which was voted to the 2014 Black List of Hollywood’s best unproduced screenplays, multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.
Arash Amel wrote the script and will produce with Uday Chopra of YRF Entertainment, which optioned Chris Greenhalgh’s book of the same title and will finance the movie. YRF’s Jonathan Reiman will serve as an executive producer on the project.
“Seducing Ingrid Bergman” chronicles the torrid, life-changing romance between the “Casablanca” actress and celebrated war photographer Robert Capa that ignited in Paris after WWII.
Bergman’s life story is complicated. While a wholesome image defined her early career, she was denounced by the U.S. Senate for having loose morals after her affair with director Roberto Rossellini became public, which led to her taking a break from Hollywood. Capa had his own issues — chief among them, gambling and alcoholism — but he was fearless with a camera and served as a catalyst for Bergman’s self-awakening and ultimate liberation from the Hollywood machine.
Bergman and Capa are plum parts for movie stars and Mangold’s attachment should help the producers recruit top acting talent for the roles.
Mangold last directed Hugh Jackman in “The Wolverine” and he’s currently prepping the untitled sequel, which is expected to shoot in January. The “Wolverine” sequel remains his focus, as Amel is currently rewriting “Seducing Ingrid Bergman,” which remains in development.
Mangold is the acclaimed director of the Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line” and “Girl, Interrupted.” His other credits include “Cop Land” with Sylvester Stallone, “3:10 to Yuma” starring Christian Bale and “Knight and Day” with Tom Cruise.
He’s represented by WME and Management 360.