It’s not every first-time indie film director who can score an Oscar-winning actress for their cast. But when you’re Paul Bettany, and you’re married to Jennifer Connelly, it’s a teensy bit easier to get her to take your calls, and so Connelly is set for a lead role in Bettany’s Shelter.
We suspect that hiring Anthony Mackie involved a little more work than a conversation across the breakfast table, but he’s on board as well. As for the plot? That’s anyone’s guess at the moment, as Bettany is keeping things quiet, but we do know he wrote the script as well as getting ready to call the shots later this year in Manhattan and elsewhere in New York.
Connelly is next set to hit our screens in Darren Aronofsky’s Noah (due March 28) and will also be seen in Akiva Goldsman’s Winter’s Tale. Mackie has The Fifth Estate (October 11) and Runner Runner (September 27) on the way, and will be seen next year as Sam Wilson, AKA Falcon in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which he discussed with us at Disney’s D23 event.