Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried will star in writer-director Paul Schrader‘s next indie, “First Reformed,” producers Arclight Films and Killer Films announced Saturday.
The film, currently in preproduction, stars Hawke as a former military chaplain struggling with his faith after the loss of a son he encouraged to enlist in the armed forces.
He becomes even more ambivalent after befriending a parishioner (Seyfried) and her radical environmentalist husband and learning of his church’s complicity with unscrupulous corporations.
Christine Vachon and David Hinojosa of Killer Films are producing. Additional producers include Gary Hamilton and executive producer Brian Beckmann.
Arclight Films, which is financing the film and has taken on worldwide rights, is presenting it to buyers in Toronto. Financing was also arranged by David Gonzales of Northside, which represents Schrader with Johnnie Planco of Parseghian Planco.
Schrader, a two-time Oscar nominee for his screenplays for “Taxi Driver” and Raging Bull,” is currently in Toronto with his new film, the Willem Dafoe-Nicolas Cage drama “Dog Eat Dog,” which debuted in Cannes at the Directors’ Fortnight.
“‘First Reformed’ is a script I’ve been moving toward for almost 50 years,” Schrader said in a statement. “Ethan Hawke‘s image appeared to me while I was writing and he responded days after reading the script. Now we are delighted to be able to add Amanda Seyfried. These are unique performers with a special charisma.”
Hawke, a four-time Oscar nominee, is in Toronto with Antoine Fuqua‘s “The Magnificent Seven.” He’s represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment and attorney George Sheanshang.
Seyfried, whose credits include “Mamma Mia!” and “Les Miserables,” is represented by Innovative and attorney Mike Williams.
10 Hottest Movies for Sale in Toronto, From Bryan Cranston's 'Wakefield" to Bruce Lee Biopic (Photos)
"Wakefield"
Never underestimate Bryan Cranston's desire for the intense -- in "Wakefield," he plays a successful lawyer and family man who abandons his loved ones only to observe them at a distance from an attic above the garage.
"Girl Unbound"
This documentary is the true and inspiring story of Maria Toorpakai, a talented squash player who faces death threats and cultural upheaval in her quest to represent Pakistan in international competitions.
"Tramps"
In one of the most-discussed titles screening at TIFF, director Adam Leon sets us up on a sketchy errand to deliver a package, and winds up painting a romantic crime caper with a young man and woman.
"Birth of the Dragon"
This feature, set in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1960, chronicles the rise of Bruce Lee as a self-taught master of martial arts.
"The Promise"
Oscar Issac stars opposite Christian Bale and Charlotte Le Bon in the comeback of "Hotel Rwanada" director Terry George, about a love triangle set against the first World War.
"(re)Assignment"
Another of the most-discussed titles around this year, Walter Hill's action film was described by one buyer as "total madness." Michelle Rodriguez plays a male soldier who undergoes sexual reassignment surgery to become female, at the behest of her scheming superior officer (Sigourney Weaver).
"The Bleeder"
Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts topline one of the starriest sales titles, a fact-based drama about a toxic bachelor and boxer.
"Carrie Pilby"
Indie sensation Bel Powley ("The Diary of a Teenage Girl") returns in Susan Johnson's portrait of a girl genius trying to find a normal life in Manhattan.
"Catfight"
Not only does this black comedy pit old high school friends Anne Heche and Sandra Oh against each other in a battle royale, the below-the-line talent on this project is almost exclusively female.
"Their Finest"
Director Lone Scherfig ("An Education") returns with a period rom-com centered on the making of an inspirational movie amid the Blitz of London in World War II.
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TheWrap quizzed buyers and sellers at TIFF’s film market for which titles have the most heat — and which will fetch top dollar
