Stephen Frears is heading to France with his next film as his follow-up to the Oscar-winning The Queen will be Cheri, an adaptation of French writer Cheri Colette’s 1920 novel with Christopher Hampton (Atonement) penning the screenplay.
Frears will be directing Rupert Friend in the title role with Kathy Bates and Michelle Pfeiffer also in the cast.
The story follows Madame Peloux (Bates), a famed courtesan in 1920s France, who sends the spoiled Cheri (Friend) to her courtesan pal Lea de Lonval (Pfeiffer) for an adult education, but their six-year affair comes to a painful end when he’s forced to marry a wealthy young woman.
Friend starred in Pride and Prejudice and will soon be seen as Prince Albert in The Young Victoria making him quite the period expert.
There is no word on when filming is expected to begin, but once completed Miramax will be handling domestic distribution.
