Ian McKellen and director Bill Condon have a history working together on films, stretching back to 1999's Gods And Monsters. And he's shared the stage with Helen Mirren on more than one occasion. Now all three will be collaborating on a new thriller, The Good Liar.
Jeffrey Hatcher, who wrote 2015 McKellen/Condon joint Mr. Holmes, has adapted Nicholas Searle's novel for the screen, which will unspool a cat and mouse game between a career con artist called Roy Courtnay (McKellen) and a rich widow named Betty McLeish (Mirren). Roy thinks Betty will be his latest mark, but when she opens her home and heart to him, he's surprised to find he cares about her, muddying up the waters of his plan. And then he also discovers that all is not quite what it seems...
Condon should have the cameras rolling this year, which represents yet another roadblock for Bride Of Frankenstein, originally planned as part of the faltering Dark Universe set of films for Universal.
McKellen was last seen (mostly heard) in Beauty And The Beast, directed by Condon. He has films including 'toon Animal Crackers coming up and also has plans to work on stage this year. Mirren, who starred in Winchester, will show up in The Leisure Seeker (4 May) and Disney's The Nutcracker And The Four Realms, due 26 October.
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