Back in May came the news that just days before it was set to begin shooting in Spain, Oscar-winning “Cold War” and “Ida” director Pawel Pawlikowski’s new film “The Island” had halted production.
Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix and Oscar nominee Rooney Mara were set to star in the project, which was stopped due to the threat of a then potential (and now actual) SAG-AFTRA strike having spooked bond companies who wouldn’t insure it.
Talent, financiers and producers remain fully committed to the project, but it was unclear when it could start again as various “independent films of scale” looked like to be halted due to the uncertainty.
Now according to World of Reel, producers tried other insurance companies but to no avail. Yet, they report Pawlikowski still very much wants this to be his next movie.
However adding to the mess is issues of Phoenix’s availability post-strike as he still has yet to shoot Ari Aster’s next film “Eddington” and an untitled Todd Haynes drama, not to mention having “Joker: Folie a Deux” media commitments.
“The Island” is a true story-inspired tale about an American couple in the 1930s who escape to a deserted island where they live off the land.
A millionaire passing by on his yacht turns the couple into a tabloid newspaper sensation, leading to a self-styled countess appearing with two lovers and planning to build a luxury hotel on the island.
As battle lines are quickly drawn, psychological warfare ensues between the countess and the American couple as sexual infidelity, betrayal and eventually murder take place among the island interlopers.
Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward are producing.
