Oscar winner Natalie Portman andWednesdaystar Jenna Ortega are in talks for their first collaboration together in the upcoming dark comedyThe Gallerist. The project, directed byCathy Yan (Birds of Prey), promises to deliver a unique blend of humor and intrigue as it follows an art dealer who finds himself in a desperate situation, attempting to pass off a dead man as a piece of art at Art Basel Miami, an international art fair in Miami Beach.
Now,Deadlinereports thatPortman and Ortega are in negotiations to star in Yan’sThe Gallerist. In addition to directing, Yan also co-wrote the script with James Pedersen. Portman will also be onboard as a producer, working alongside Sophie Mas through their MountainA banner. Additional producers include Jonathan King, Ash Sarohia, Tom McCarthy, Rae Baron, and Zola Elgart Glassman.
What To Expect From The Gallerist
Anticipating The Film’s Eccentric Humor and Characters
Yan is known for her work as the director ofthe DCEU’sBirds of Prey, which made her the first Asian woman to direct a U.S. superhero film. Her feature debut,Dead Pig,which boasts a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, was inspired by an incident in 2013 when thousands of dead pigs were found floating down the Huangpu River. She was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2022 for her work as director on an episode from the third season of HBO’sSuccession.
Yan will bring a biting vision to this offbeat story reminiscent ofWeekend at Bernie’s. The potential star power ofPortman and Ortega has added more buzz around the film’s development, which would become the powerhouse actors’ first collaboration together. This unconventional premise, combined with the actors’ knack for jaded characters, sets the stage for a captivating exploration of ambition and morality, blending macabre humor with the high-stakes, highbrow world of the art scene.
Weekend at Bernie’sinvolves two men trying to hide the fact that their boss is dead.
Portman recently finished filming the upcoming adventure filmFountain of Youth.Her acclaimed performance in the 2023 black comedyMay December,as an actor preparing for her part as a controversial woman who gained notoriety for her relationship with a younger man, hasthoroughly prepared Portman to take on Yan’s edgy saga. Meanwhile, Ortega’s career is in full swing following her award-winning Netflix seriesWednesdayandthe box office success ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice. No stranger to a grim story or sardonic character either, Ortega fits well into Yan’s production of death and mishap.
Our Take On Portman And Ortega’s Collaboration In The Gallerist
The Gallerist Could Become A Must-See
The collaboration between Portman and Ortega inThe Galleristpromises a unique blend of seasoned talent and youthful zeal. Pairing Portman’s experience with Ortega’s rising popularity alongside Yan’s penchant for edgy storytelling,The Galleristhas the potential to become a must-watch in the genre of dark comedies. Hopefully, their deals will both go through so this collaboration can come to fruition and show audiences what each woman is capable of.
