Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Talks to Star in ‘Force Majeure’ Remake
HBO's VEEP star Julia Louis-Dreyfus is in negotiations to star in a remake of Force Majeure, whose rights were just picked up by Fox Searchlight, The Hollywood Reporter had exclusively learned.
Majeure is the award-winning Swedish drama that tells of a family staying in a resort in the French Alps. An avalanche threatens the resort and the father, in an act of selfish cowardice, deserts his family. When the avalanche passes and the family is safely reunited, the man's actions create a deep fissure in the unit that might not be repaired.
The movie, written and directed by Ruben Ostlund, swept the Swedish version of the Oscars, the Guldbagge Awards, and also won the Un Certain Regard jury prize at last year's Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for best foreign film at this year's Golden Globes.
No director or writers are attached at this stage. Sources say Louis-Dreyfus will also be involved as a producer.
The move is a bit of a departure for Louis-Dreyfus, who is better known for her acclaimed work in the comedy field. Her show Veepreturns for its fourth season in April. Her movies, such as 2013's well-regarded Enough Said, in which she starred opposite James Gandolfini, have showcased her more dramatic side.
Veep's third season received critical acclaim from critics. It received a Metacritic score of 87 out of 100 based on 10 reviews. It scored a rare 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The site's consensus reads, "Veep continues its winning streak with a mix of smart comedy, bright performances and a refreshing approach to D.C. politics."