Hot off a well-reviewed turn as a femme fatale in A&E’s miniseries “Bonnie and Clyde,” British actress Holliday Grainger is in negotiations to star alongside Christoph Waltz in the Weinstein Company’s period drama “Tulip Fever,” TheWrap has learned.
Justin Chadwick (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”) is directing the adaptation of Deborah Moggach’s beloved romance novel. Alison Owen of British banner Ruby Films (“Saving Mr. Banks”) is producing the long-gestating film with Harvey Weinstein, as “Tulip Fever” has been a passion project for Owen.
Also read: ‘The Borgias’ Star Holliday Grainger Joins Disney’s ‘Cinderella’ (Exclusive)
Set in 17th century Amsterdam, the story follows a married woman (Grainger) who begins a passionate affair with an artist hired to paint her portrait. The lovers gamble on the booming market for tulip bulbs as a way to raise money to run away together.
Waltz, who signed on earlier this month, has called the script “brilliant” and expects “Tulip Fever” to be his next project, though his role remains unknown. Pre-production is scheduled to begin in April.
“Tulip Fever” has been a talent magnet for years, as Keira Knightley and Jude Law had been eyed to star in a previous incarnation of the project, which has interested directors such as Tom Hooper, John Madden and Peter Chelson over the years. Alicia Vikander had also been circling Chadwick’s adaptation though it appears that TWC has moved on.
Also read: ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ Preview: The Brains of the Operation (Exclusive Video)
Grainger is no stranger to well-known love stories, having previously appeared in Cary Fukunaga’s “Jane Eyre,” Joe Wright’s “Anna Karenina” and Mike Newell’s “Great Expectations,” in which she played the female lead.
The 25 year-old British actress, who played Jeremy Irons’ daughter Lucrezia Borgia on Showtime’s “The Borgias,” will soon be seen in Disney’s “Cinderella” and Lone Scherfig’s indie thriller “Posh.” She’s repped by WME, LBI Entertainment and Troika.
The post ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ Star Holliday Grainger in Negotiations for TWC Period Romance ‘Tulip Fever’ (Exclusive) appeared first on TheWrap.