Back in 1952, 20th Century Fox released My Cousin Rachel, a noir mystery starring Richard Burton and Olivia de Havilland. Now Fox Searchlight is putting a remake together, with Roger Michell on board to direct and Rachel Weisz in early talks to star.
The original film, which Michell will also adapt, takes its story from Daphne du Maurier’s novel about Philip, an orphan who is used to living a happy life with his cousin and guardian, Ambrose. But when Ambrose is off on one of his health-related holidays, he reports back that he has fallen for Rachel, a distant relation, the tone of his letters starts to change and Philip decides to go and investigate. Yet he underestimates the power the beautiful Rachel will have over him.
According to Variety, the plan is for Weisz to work on the film after she finishes Denial, which has Tom Wilkinson in place to co-star. Mick Jackson is directing that drama, based on a script by David Ayer that sees a professor entering a legal battle with an outspoken holocaust denier.
Weisz will next appear in Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, which is out on October 16. She’ll also show up in The Light Between Oceans, due on January 8.