Tim Blake Nelson and Vera Farmiga are set to play the founders of the infamous religious cult Heaven’s Gate for the true-crime biopic “The Leader” at Cinemand and Balcony 9 Productions.
Farmiga will play cult leader Bonnie ‘Ti’ Nettles with Nelson as the group’s infamous frontman Marshall ‘Do’ Applewhite in the film. The project deals with the true story of the 39 members of the American UFO cult Heaven’s Gate which believed its followers could transform into immortal extraterrestrials and would ascend to heaven.
The film tracks Nettles and Applewhite as they develop their religion, build a devout following and face unforeseen conflict when the spaceship they believed would transport their resurrected selves fails to arrive.
It all led to the largest mass suicide to ever take place on American soil. “The Leader” will depict the tragedy through the lens of hope and heartbreak along with exploring themes of self-deception, human connection, and the mystery of faith.
Michael Gallagher (“Funny Story”) directs from his own original screenplay and casting is currently underway. Gallagher, Jana Winternitz, Michael Wormser, Joel David Moore, Rishi Bajaj, Daniel Taborga and Max Osswald are set to produce.
No word as yet regarding when the project will head into production.
Source: THR
