THR is reporting that Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea), Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) and Jesse Plemons (Fargo) are set to star in The World to Come, which is being produced by Affleck’s production company Sea Change Media.
The World to Come is based upon the short story by Jim Shepard and “tells the story of two women who forge a close connection despite their isolation in the mid-19th-century American frontier.” Mona Fastvold (screenwriter on The Childhood of a Leader and Vox Lux) is set to direct from a script by Shepard and Ron Hansen.
“Prior to receiving the screenplay for The World To Come I hadn’t considered directing a film that I did not conceive of myself but as I turned its last few pages, I knew it was what I wanted to make next,” said Fastvold. “Ron Hansen and Jim Shepard’s script is beautiful — it is a rich and engrossing character study of four second-generation Americans battling the elements and eventually each other. I am exhilarated to collaborate with Sea Change Media, Sailor Bear and Killer Films, as well as such an accomplished cast and crew. Our shared vision for the project is bold and ambitious; these are the ideal partners to bring this vital and important love story to life.”
“Mona is very smart and has an exciting vision for this film,” added Affleck. “The remarkable talents of Katherine, Vanessa, and Jesse are the perfect combination for this movie. We are grateful to Killer Films for coming on board to help guide the production. They have a long, successful, and prestigious history making special movies like this. And we always love working with our mates at Sailor Bear.”