TORONTO — Among the rumors flying out of the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend was a story first reported by Deadline.com — about Jennifer Lawrence possibly headlining “Red Sparrow,” based on the spy novel by Jason Matthews.
The big draw for the Oscar winner would be the chance to again work with Francis Lawrence (no relation), who helmed her in both “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1,” and the upcoming “Part 2” of the hit franchise. In a chat with me last year, Jennifer said she adored Francis and loved working with him on the “Hunger Games” projects.
Originally, David Fincher was thinking about directing “Red Sparrow,” but he moved away from it.
The book is about current day Russia and state intelligence officer Dominika Egorova trying to survive in the tough, post-Soviet world of Russian spies. She is forced, against her will, to become a “sparrow” — a trained seductress who is used to get close to Nathaniel Nash, a green CIA officer in charge of the agency’s most sensitive information about Russian intelligence.
However, before Jennifer Lawrence inks a deal for this film, she will next be seen in the Christmas release “Joy,” directed by David O. Russell, who helmed Lawrence in “American Hustle” and her Academy Award-winning turn in “Silver Linings Playbook.” She also co-stars with Chris Pratt in “Passengers,” coming in 2016.
