According to Deadline, Ready or Not star Samara Weaving, Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale, Spiral), Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts films), and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea (Back to the Future) have officially been cast to join director Damien Chazelle’s upcoming period drama film Babylon. In addition, Rory Scovel, Lukas Haas, Eric Roberts. P.J. Byrne, and Damon Gupton have also been tapped to join the film, which is currently slated to begin its production later this month.
The nine new cast additions will be joining previously confirmed cast members Oscar winner Brad Pitt and Oscar nominee Margot Robbie, who are both set as Babylon‘s leading stars. This upcoming feature also marks the latest collaboration between Pitt and Robbie, who previously worked together in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 comedy-drama Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
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Babylon is described as an original drama set in period Hollywood, a “bold auteur piece with a significant budget.” It is also reportedly going to be R-rated, where the story will take place during the film industry’s major shift from silent film to talkies. Lionsgate was previously in the lead to land the movie at auction until Paramount came through with the winning bid.
The film will be led by Oscar winner Brad Pitt along with his Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood co-star Margot Robbie, who replaced Emma Stone for the female lead after the Cruella actress exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), and Li Jun Li (Wu Assassins, Evil) have also previously been cast, with Li set as Anna May Wong.
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Babylon will be written and directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Damien Chazelle (La La Land, First Man). It is produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt, with Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook, and Adam Siegel set as executive producers.
Originally scheduled for Christmas 2021, the Brad Pitt-led film is currently set to debut on December 25, 2022, for a limited release which will then be followed by a wide theatrical release on January 6, 2023.
