Golden Globe winner Josh O’Connor and Emmy nominee Paul Mescal have signed on for the leading roles in the forthcoming period romantic drama film titled The History of Sound, which will take place during World War I. Production is expected to begin in the summer of 2022 and will be filmed in the U.S., the UK, and Italy.
“I instantly fell in love with Ben Shattuck’s flawlessly beautiful short story and knew I had to be involved in its journey to the screen,” filmmaker Oliver Hermanus said in a statement (via The Wrap). “Paul and Josh are two of the most promising actors of their generation who will share with us deeply soulful performances. This is an unexpected love story that needs to be told – it is a journey through the life of America, across the 20th century and the traditions of American folk music, all seen through the bond between two men immersed in the history of sound. This undeniably powerful story will certainly resonate with audiences the world over.”
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The History of Sound is based on Ben Shattuck’s acclaimed short story of the same name, which earned him a Pushcart Prize. It will be directed by Oliver Hermanus, with Andrea Roa and End Cue’s Andrew Kortschak & Lisa Ciuffetti set as producers.
“It tells the story of two young men, Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor), who, during World War I set out to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen,” reads the synopsis. “In this snatched, short-lived moment in their young lives, and while discovering the epic sweep of the U.S., both men are deeply changed.”
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O’Connor gained recognition for his acclaimed performance as Prince Charles in the third and fourth season of Netflix’s The Crown, which earned him an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He will next be seen in Sony Pictures Classics’ Mothering Sunday.
As for Mescal, he is best known for his breakthrough leading performance as Connell in last year’s emotional drama Normal People. He will next be seen in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut feature The Lost Daughter.
