Following a successful pairing onEuphoria, HBO and A24 are re-teaming onIrma Vep, a limited series starring Oscar winnerAlicia Vikanderthat hails from writer-directorOlivier Assayasand is based on his 1996 film of the same name.
Per HBO,Irma Vepaims to reveals the uncertain ground that lies at the border of fiction and reality, artifice and authenticity, art and life.
Vikander will play Mira, an American movie star disillusioned by her career and a recent breakup who comes to France to star as “Irma Vep” in a remake of the French silent film classicLes Vampires. Set against the backdrop of a lurid crime thriller, Mira struggles as the distinctions between herself and the character she plays begin to blur and merge.
Vikander and Assayas will executive produce along withEuphoriaduoSam LevinsonandKevin Turenof Little Lamb, as well asSylvie Barthet,Ashley LevinsonandStuart Manashil.
“I have been a long-time admirer of Olivier and his work,” said Vikander. “I am very excited for us to work together, and to be a part of the expanded universe of his superb cult classic,Irma Vep. There are a lot of brilliant people coming together and I am delighted to be partnering with HBO and A24 on this special project.”
“I am immensely grateful to Alicia, A24, and HBO for giving me the incredible opportunity to explore and expandIrma Vepin a series format,” said Assayas. “This is a comedy that will try and catch the zeitgeist the same way the originalIrma Vepdid, in a very different world, a very different era, that right now feels light years away.”
“When the opportunity arose to partner with Alicia and Olivier we jumped at the chance,” added HBO’sFrancesca Orsi. “Olivier is a master at weaving unique narratives imbued with levity and drama and Alicia is one of the most versatile, celebrated actors of our time. They have an undeniable, distinct vision for the reimagining of Olivier’s cult classic film, and we can’t wait to tell it with them.”
This is the second TV series Vikander has aligned herself with in as many months, as she just signed on to star in agender-flipped versionofDial M for Murderin November. She’s also slated to reprise her role as Lara Croft in aTomb Raidersequelthat will be directedbyBen Wheatley. She strikes me as a great fit for Assayas' style, and though I may not love every one of his movies and haven’t seenIrma Vep, I’m looking forward to this series based on the strength of this pairing on paper.
A24 is behind Hulu’s award-winning seriesRamyand Showtime’s comedy seriesMoonbase 8starredFred Armisen,Tim HeideckerandJohn C. Reilly. The company’s TV division also hasJoseph Gordon Levitt’s Apple seriesMr. Cormanon the not-so-distant horizon. On the feature side, A24 recently releasedMinari, which is expected to be a major contender this awards season. To watch the trailer for that wonderful indie film,click here.
