In 2014, Josephine Decker made quite a splash at the Berlin Film Festival “Double Decker” premiere of “Butter On The Latch” and “Thou Wast Mild & Lovely.” Since then, she’s been making quite the name for herself in the indie film world, with projects such as “Madeline’s Madeline” which made its debut at Sundance 2018.
So, what’s next for the up-and-coming director? Deadline has reported that Decker’s next project, “Shirley,” will focus on the famed horror author Shirley Jackson and will star Elisabeth Moss and Michael Stuhlbarg. The project, which is based on the Susan Scarf Merrell’s 2014 novel of the same name, will be adapted by Sarah Gubbins and tells the story of a young couple who moves in with Jackson and her college professor-husband (Stuhlbarg), in hopes of starting a new life. Instead, though, they find themselves as material for Jackson’s next novel.
“No two people write more wildly rich female characters than Shirley Jackson and Sarah Gubbins. It’s an honor to bring their female sorcery to life with these incredible partners,” said Decker. “I can’t wait to witness Elisabeth Moss’ visceral inhabitation of Shirley’s beautiful tortured spirit and Michael Stuhlbarg’s unflinchingly charismatic-while-cruel Stanley.”
Elisabeth Moss is at the top of her game right now, with her lead role on the hugely successful Hulu series, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Stuhlbarg also is having a bit of a moment, especially in 2017, with severely underrated performances in “Call Me By Your Name,” “The Shape of Water,” and “The Post.” Honestly, there should have been an Oscar “MVP” Award given to the actor last year.
No word yet on a release date for “Shirley,” but with these three attached, the film is instantly one of our most anticipated.