Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan's upcoming film, "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan," has added three more stars to its ensemble cast - Natalie Portman, Nicholas Hoult and Thandie Newton, according to Variety.
The film, which is Dolan's first English-langauge directorial venture, also stars Kit Harington, Jessica Chastain, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Michael Gambon, Bella Thorne, Chris Zylka and Emily Hampshire.
"The Death and Life of John F. Donovan," set in the early 2000s, follows the story of a young actor named Rupert Turner, who revisits his pen-pal relationship with TV star John F. Donovan (Harrington) in an interview a decade after his death and the impact it had on their lives after the secret correspondence became public thanks to a gossip columnist (Chastain), Deadline reported.
"From 'Crash' to 'Closer,' Besson's 'Professional,' 'About A Boy,' 'Skins 'and more recently 'Mad Max,' Natalie, Thandie and Nicholas have always inspired me, and helped define what I like and find exciting in acting," Dolan said on Tuesday, according to TheWrap. "So there is an almost karmic peculiarity to knowing I'll be working with them next."
Dolan, whose credits include last year's critically acclaimed "Mommy," wrapped up "It's Only the End of the World," starring Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassel, last year. The filmmaker will produce the project along with Lyse Lafontaine of Lyla Films and Nancy Grant of Sons of Manual, whereas Joe Iacono will serve as the film's executive producer.
