After exploring the horror and thriller genres with the acclaimed My Friend Dahmer and Hereditary, Alex Wolff is ready to return to the pulse-pounding genres as he is currently in talks for a lead role in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming untitled thriller at Universal, according to Collider.
UPDATE: Sources are now reporting that alongside Wolff, Shyamalan has entered talks with Eliza Scanlen (Little Women), Thomasin McKenzie (True History of the Kelly Gang), Aaron Pierce (Krypton) and Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) for key roles in the secret project. (Via The Wrap)
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The 49-year-old writer/director of the Eastrail 177 Trilogy took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce he had begun casting the first of his two untitled thrillers set up at Universal and sources are reporting that Wolff’s role would be the third lead for the film.
I have begun casting my new film which we will shoot as soon as it is safe. I have been overwhelmed by the auditions. Recorded in homes all around the world. With such staggering numbers. The talent has been extraordinary. Thank you for auditioning for me! Truly moved.
— M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) May 5, 2020
Shyamalan’s high-concept content has consistently captured the attention of audiences around the world for nearly two decades, having amassed more than $3.3 billion worldwide. His most recent Universal project, Glass, the culmination of his Eastrail 177 Trilogy, garnered nearly $250 million worldwide and opened No. 1 at the box office, remaining in the top spot for three weeks. Split, the second film in the epic series, also debuted at No. 1 and remained there for three weeks in a row during its 2017 release, while 2015’s The Visit brought in close to $100 million at the worldwide box office and was one of the highest-grossing horror films of the year. Having independently financed the three films with a combined production budget of $35 million, Glass, Split and The Visit went on to cumulatively gross more than $600 million worldwide. He will similarly finance his next two films.
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While he started his career with the Nickelodeon’s musical comedy film and series The Naked Brothers Band, Wolff’s time on the big screen has taken off since his appearance in Peter Berg’s Patriots Day, which he followed up with My Friend Dahmer, the blockbuster Jumanji sequel franchise, in which he stars as Dwayne Johnson’s real-world persona, and Hereditary. He can currently be seen in the HBO dramedy Bad Education alongside Hugh Jackman, as well as the upcoming drama Castle in the Ground, in which he stars alongside Imogen Poots (Vivarium), which is set to hit VOD on May 15.
