After landing Oscar winner Sandra Bullock (Bird Box) to star in the lead role in early November, Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of the acclaimed 2009 British drama series Unforgiven has expanded its cast with the additions of Oscar winner Viola Davis (Fences), The Fall‘s Aisling Franciosi and Daredevil‘s Rob Morgan, according to Deadline.
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The original series, created by Sally Wainwright (Gentleman Jack), starred Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack) as Ruth Slater, a woman found guilty of murdering two police officers when she was a teenager who sets out to find her sister, adopted shortly after the incident, upon release from prison.
Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody) has been developing a film adaptation of the project for six years now, with Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) set to write and direct at one point with Angelina Jolie eyed to star in the project, but after years of not finding further financing or a studio, the project languished in developmental hell. The film will be helmed by Nora Fingscheidt, whose directorial debut System Crasher is set to represent Germany at the 2020 Academy Awards.
Though McQuarrie is no longer attached as director of the project, his script will still be used for the film, which is being produced by King through his banner GK Films alongside Bullock for Fortis Films and Veronica Ferres for Construction Film.
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Unforgiven will mark the second original film Bullock has starred in for the streaming service after last year’s smash hit post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box, which drew in record viewership within four weeks of its initial release of 80 million, as well as being attached to produce the Chris McKay adaptation of Millarworld comic book series Reborn.
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