[Updated]: Just a few hours after we reportedEmma Stonewas circlingDamien Chazelle’sBabylon,Deadlineshared thatBrad Pittwas also reportedly in talks for the film. Pitt is apparently not yet locked in for the film, similar to Stone. It’s also unclear what role he may be in talks for tackling. This would be Pitt’s first time working with Chazelle and Stone but it would be his second film in just a few years where he would travel by to the early days of Hollywood. Deadline’s update on Pitt circlingBabylonalso confirms this film will be “solidly in the R-rated category,” his first sinceWhiplashto be up for the rating. Our original story is below.
Fans ofLa La Landwill be happy to hear that writer-directorDamien Chazelleand starEmma Stonemay be reuniting in a new project. DubbedBabylon, the 1920s-set piece will be a Hollywood story about the movie industry’s transition from silent films to “talkies.” Chazelle wrote the piece and will direct it as his next film if and when a studio or streaming service steps up to take on the project. But it’s been making the financing rounds for a month or so now without a commitment; could the period pic be too pricey and overlong for
AsTHRreports, Lionsgate, Paramount and Netflix, among others, have shown interest inBabylonbut have yet to sign a deal for the reported 180 page-long script that is budgeted between $80 and $100 million. On one hand, financiers may be reluctant to pony up that kind of scratch for a period piece that may not resonate with modern audiences; and on the other hand,La La Landbanked almost a half-a-billion dollars along with 14 Oscars nominations. Someone will eventually decide that it’s worth the gamble.
Other than the fact thatBabylonwill center on Hollywood’s shift away from silent films in the 1920s, details are non-existent, but there’s the added angle of bringing both fictional and historical characters into the story. For example, Clara Bow, Hollywood’s first “It” girl who found stardom in the silent films and managed to transition into talkies, is said to be at the center of the piece with Stone unofficially attached to play the part. With nearly 60 films to her credit, Bow was the face of the Roaring Twenties and a sex symbol of that decade, enjoying a popularity that made her film appearances sure-fire box-office earners and also let her retire under her own terms. In a similarly plotted 2013 movieReturn to Babylon, the part was played byJennifer Tilly, though this film, too, struggled to find a traditional distribution deal.
As forBabylon,Marc PlattandOlivia Hamiltonare attached to produce. Stay tuned for more as we hear it.
