EXCLUSIVE: The Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie feature,Eileen,based on Ottessa Moshfegh bestseller, which just wrapped in New Jersey, is being sold at EFM by Endeavor Content and WME Independent.
Deadline has learned that Marin Ireland (Hell or High Water, Homeland) and Owen Teague (It, Mrs. Fletcher) are also starring in the Endeavor Content, Likely Story, Omniscient Productions, Film4 produced film. They join previously announced, Shea Whigham, in the William Oldroyd directed movie.
In the film, Eileen (McKenzie) is a peculiar young woman – aloof and unphased by the gloomy nature of her job at the local youth prison. But something in her changes the day that the new counselor, Dr. Rebecca St. John (Oscar winner Hathaway) arrives. She is instantly captivated by Rebecca’s glamorous, enigmatic presence. As the two women grow closer, Eileen is inspired to explore new facets of her own personality and desires. But her metamorphosis takes a twisted turn when Rebecca reveals a dark secret – throwing Eileen onto a much more sinister path.
Luke Goebel and Moshfegh adapted the screenplay off the latter’s Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award-winning novel, which was shortlisted for the 2016 Man Booker Prize.
“This is a movie about a woman breaking free,” said the pic’s producer, Likely Story’s Anthony Bregman. “Eileen is stuck inside the constraints of history, place, social class, upbringing, and imagination, and Rebecca provides her with a deviant way out. We’re lucky that our own partners in crime are storytellers, performers, and producing partners devilish enough to make that journey both shocking and entertaining.”
“We are thrilled to be working with such bold and talented filmmakers to bring this daring emotional thriller to life,” said Negeen Yazdi, SVP Film Development and Production at Endeavor Content. “Will’s vision is a perfect match for Ottessa’s delicious characters who will be played by two of the most dazzlingly compelling actors working today.”
Also producing are Stefanie Azpiazu (Private Life, Enough Said) and Peter Cron (Someone Great, Topside), along with Omniscient Productions’ Moshfegh and Goebel, and Oldroyd.
Oldroyd is represented by WME, United Agents and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole; Goebel and Moshfegh are represented by WME, Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein and Slez and The Clegg Agency; McKenzie is represented by UTA and Untitled Entertainment; Hathaway is represented by CAA, Management 360 and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; Whigham is represented by WME, Range Media Partners; Ireland is represented by ICM and Untitled Entertainment; Teague is represented by CAA and Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light.