Back in February it was announced that Natalie Portman was going to take a stab at directing and it seems she has finally found a place to do so as she has just signed a two-year production deal with Participant Prods. where she has set up her Handsomecharlie Films. Portman will make the previously announced A Tale of Love and Darkness her debut.
The film is based on the bestselling memoir of Amos Oz and Naomi Foner is in negotiations to adapt the screenplay. Love and Darkness, while under Handsomecharlie, will not be set up at Participant in the new deal.
Portman was earlier expected to direct as well as star in Love and Darkness, which describes Oz’s upbringing in Jerusalem amid the fighting during which the Jewish state was founded. Israeli media reported that Portman was interested in playing Oz’s mother, who committed suicide when the author was a youth.
It will be interesting to see what language the film is made in considering Portman speaks Hebrew.
Nat’s next theatrical outing will be Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium for Fox Walden, releasing on November 16.
