Cameras will start rolling on director David Cronenberg’s new film “The Shrouds” in May in Toronto. The film will star Vincent Cassel (“La Haine”), Diane Kruger (“Inglourious Basterds”), and Guy Pearce (“Memento”).
It was originally reported that Léa Seydoux (“Dune Part Two“) would also star in the project. But it seems Kruger has taken over the role, and Seydoux, who starred in Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future,” is no longer attached. Cassel and Cronenberg already have a rich history together having previously worked on “Eastern Promises” and “A Dangerous Method.” He has been on board since the project was first announced last summer.
In “The Shrouds,” Cassel will play Karsh, an innovative businessman who is also a grieving widow. This drives him to build a novel device to connect with the dead inside a burial shroud. A device that he installs in his state-of-the-art, but controversial, cemetery. Karsh and his clients are able to watch their departed loved ones decompose in real-time. This process becomes so successful the business is on the edge of hitting the international mainstream.
But then the fire nation attacked, as graves begin to turn up vandalized. Including the final resting place of Karsh’s wife. While he struggles to find out who would do such a thing, he begins to uncover some horrible secrets. Secrets that drive him to reevaluate his business, marriage, and fidelity to his late wife’s memory. All of which push him towards new beginnings.
During the last Cannes market, it was announced that FilmNation and CAA Media Finance were handling sales for “The Shrouds.” But it seems that they are no longer attached to the project. Distribution will now be handled by SBS International, which is the sales arm of producer Saïd Ben Saïd (“Elle”). Saïd will also be producing along with Martin Katz for Prospero Pictures. The pair previously produced Cronenberg’s black comedy “Maps To The Stars.”
We’ll keep you posted on updates about “The Shrouds” as they develop.
