Famed actor Alfred Molina has chosen to make his directorial debut on Lilian, according to Deadline, and will direct from a script by Amy Lowe Starbin (Kelly and Cal) for Cannonball Productions.
The film is based on the Jill Gascoine novel of the same name and follows a woman named Jessica, who survives cancer, and then leaves her family behind in England to visit the United States where she hopes to rediscover happiness — only to fall in love with another woman.
RELATED: Guillermo del Toro to Be Honored with Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
“I’ve always known that I eventually wanted to direct,” Molina said. “When I was young I was moved by the films of Carol Reed—that’s what started this journey in fact—that was the first time I realized there was a guiding hand behind the camera. The idea of being that guiding hand has always interested me.”
Molina chose the project because he felt it was a story that touched him deeply.
“Lilian is such a beautiful story about a woman getting on in years who finds the spark of love and passion again after losing hope and a clear idea of her purpose,” he said. “I’m going to focus all of my energy and passion into bringing this story to life with a wonderful group of artists that I know and trust.”
RELATED: B.J. Novak Anthology Series Platform Gets Pilot Order From FX
Molina recently starred in the TV short Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein, along with the TV series Summer Camp Island. He has also made appearances in such classics as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Boogie Nights and Spider-Man 2; and worked as a voice actor on Monsters University and Dragons: Race to the Edge, among others.
