Just yesterday, we reported that current "it girl" Rooney Mara had amicably split with "Tanner Hall" co-helmer Francesca Gregorini for her next feature, "Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes," as she had grown too old for the part of the 17 year old lead. Variety now report that another rising thesp, Kaya Scodelario, has taken over the part.
The former "Skins" star will now play the titular Emanuel, a troubled 17-year-old girl who babysits her new neighbor's "baby," which is actually a very life-like doll. She goes along with the delusion while befriending the neighbor, who happens to be the spitting image of Emanuel's late mother. It's another interesting role for Scodelario who followed up British television successes with brief appearances in Duncan Jones' "Moon" and "Clash Of The Titans" before taking on the lead role in Andrea Arnold's "Wuthering Heights." She also recently wrapped Ol Parker's "Now Is Good" alongside Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine.
The film will begin shooting next year with Gregorini also taking on executive producing duties with Paul Schiff, Kevin Iwashina and Jonathan Gray. Matthew Brady and his MRB Prods. shingle are also on board. The director has certainly shown an affinity for and sensitivity to stories involving young women, and we'll be curious to see where 'Emanuel' leads her as a filmmaker, particularly with what seems to be an eerie bent to the tale.