Ben Foster has really come into his own as an actor. After co-starring in 2016’s Oscar-nominated “Hell or High Water,” the actor went on to star in “Hostiles” and last year’s incredible “Leave No Trace.” Those are a far cry from his early career, which saw him star in “Freaks and Geeks” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.” Now, the actor is trying his time behind the camera, with a directorial debut starring none other than Kristen Stewart.
According to Deadline, Foster is set to star and direct an untitled film about American writer William S. Burroughs. Joining him in the cast are the aforementioned Kristen Stewart and Tom Glynn-Carney, who is best known for his role in Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk.” I spoke to Foster earlier in the year and asked about a potential directorial debut in his future. He was hesitant to discuss the details, but said, “I’m just going to say, I like making lots of things all the time, and when I have more that’s concrete to talk about, then I’ll talk about it. I’m a superstitious man.”
The film is said to explore the unique love life of the acclaimed writer, played by Foster. The story follows Burroughs, who was apparently involved in a love triangle with his muse, Joan Vollmer (Stewart) and a young man named Allerton (Glynn-Carney). Let’s just say things didn’t end well. In addition to directing and starring, Foster also co-wrote the script with Oren Moverman.
Burroughs is, of course, the famous author behind works like “Junkie,” “Naked Lunch,” and “The Nova Trilogy.”
“We have found the perfect partners in Hengameh Panahi and Charlotte Mickie of Celluloid Dreams,” Foster stated. “We are delighted to align our film with their formidable taste and reputation to celebrate this unique, untold love story. Our film is kind of anti-Beat. We meet our star-crossed lovers in New York City, head to the Texas border, roar through Mexico City’s underbelly, and end up in the Amazon jungle. This film is about love, sex, and self-discovery in all of its lush, dark and often hilarious complexity.”
No word on a release date for the untitled film. However, the package deal will be presented to distributors as part of next week’s Cannes Film Festival.