Alicia Vikander is expanding her Hollywood reach.
The ‘Tomb Raider’ actress is set to star in an upcoming limited HBO series ‘Irma Vep’ from Olivier Assayas. The show will be loosely based on Assayas’ 1996 film of the same name. A24 is producing.
‘Irma Vep’ details the story of Mira (Vikander), an American movie star disillusioned by her career and a recent breakup, who comes to France to star as “Irma Vep” in a remake of the French silent film classic, “Les Vampires.” Set against the backdrop of a lurid crime thriller, Mira struggles as the distinctions between herself and the character she plays begin to blur and merge.
Assayas, who is writing the script and directing will executive produce alongside Vikander, Sylvie Barthet, Ashley Levinson, Kevin Turen, Stuart Manashil and ‘Euphoria’ show creator Sam Levinson.
“When the opportunity arose to partner with Alicia and Olivier we jumped at the chance,” said Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO programming in a statement. “Olivier is a master at weaving unique narratives imbued with levity and drama and Alicia is one of the most versatile, celebrated actors of our time. They have an undeniable, distinct vision for the reimagining of Olivier’s cult classic film, and we can’t wait to tell it with them.”
Repped by Tavistock Wood in the U.K. and UTA, Vikander has in her resume an Oscar and a Screen Actors Guild Award for ‘The Danish Girl’. Her other film credits include ‘Ex Machina’, ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E’, and ‘The Light Between Oceans’.
On the list of Vikander’s yet-to-star in shows is an anthology series ‘Dial M For Murder’, which is in development at MGM/UA Television.
“I have been a long-time admirer of Olivier and his work,” said Vikander. “I am very excited for us to work together, and to be a part of the expanded universe of his superb cult classic, ‘Irma Vep.’ There are a lot of brilliant people coming together and I am delighted to be partnering with HBO and A24 on this special project.”
“I am immensely grateful to Alicia, A24, and HBO for giving me the incredible opportunity to explore and expand Irma Vep in a series format,” added Assayas. “This is a comedy that will try and catch the zeitgeist the same way the original Irma Vep did, in a very different world, a very different era, that right now feels light years away.”
