Natalie Portman Joins Jude Law in Vox Lux

The mysterious film Vox Lux has just acquired the one and only Natalie Portman. According to a log line posted on Variety, Vox Lux “follows the rise of Celeste from the ashes of a major national tragedy to pop superstardom.” The story spans a total of 15 years, revealing the most important cultural moments seen through Celeste’s eyes from 1999 to the present. This is the second feature from actor Brady Corbet, who wrote and directed the 2015 film The Childhood of a Leader, which chronicled the growing up of a post-World War I fascist leader, and starred Robert Pattinson and Oscar nominee Bérénice Bejo. Corbet is most widely known as an actor, having appeared in films such as Clouds of Sils Maria opposite Kristin Stewart and Juliette Binoche, Melancholia opposite Kirsten Dunst, Funny Games opposite Naomi Watts and his film debut Thirteen opposite Evan Rachel Wood.

Portman, who won the Best Actress Oscar for Black Swan, began eyeing the project after the original star, Rooney Mara, dropped out. Bold Films, the production company behind psychological dramas like Nightcrawler, The Neon Demon, Only God Forgives and Drive, will produce the film; It’s no surprise now that the company will also produce Corbet’s project after a glance at its filmography. Reportedly, production has been delayed due to a company-wide restructuring after their film Stronger bombed at the box office, resulting in large staff layoffs and causing the Oscar-winning actress to question her involvement. The future, however, looks brighter for Bold Films, which just acquired the Keira Knightley-helmed Sundance success Colette.

Bold Films Chairman Michael Litvak said, “We are thrilled to welcome such a stellar actress as Natalie Portman to the cast.” The soundtrack of the film will feature all original songs by Grammy-nominated artist Sia. She will also executive produce the film with Portman and Law. The film is expected to sell its international distribution rights at the Berlin Film Festival this February. Andrew Lauren Productions will assist in financing the film. Lauren himself said, “I was mesmerized by the scope of vision of Brady’s first film The Childhood of a Leader. I don’t think Brady is of this century. His work is more reminiscent of a Sergei Eisenstein or Fritz Lang. When you sit with him, his encyclopedic knowledge of film is intimidating and his passion is infectious.”

Law and Portman previously worked together in the 2004 film Closer, which earned Portman her very first Oscar nomination, and the 2003 film Cold Mountain. Law recently was seen in the HBO miniseries The Young Pope and is well known for his role as Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes opposite Robert Downey Jr. and his Oscar-nominated performance in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Principal photography on Vox Lux begins on Feb. 1 in New York City.