Los Angeles, Jan 22 (.) Sydney Sweeney is set to both star in and produce the upcoming film adaptation of Edith Wharton’s classic novel ‘Custom of the Country’.
According to Variety, Josie Rourke (Mary Queen of Scots) will direct and write the adaptation, bringing to life the story of Undine Spragg, an ambitious Midwest woman determined to climb New York’s social ladder at the turn of the 20th century.
According to the official press release, Undine is “armed with beauty, daring, hustle, sheer force of will, and unwavering ambition,” battling an entrenched elite while fearlessly courting controversy—until love and fortune finally align.
Casting director Nina Gold is currently assembling the ensemble around Sweeney, with principal photography expected to begin imminently.
Rourke described Undine as the “original dangerous woman” and said casting Sweeney felt like fate. “It’s as if Wharton sat down a century ago and wrote the role for her,” Rourke said.
She added, “Edith Wharton’s character has forever fascinated, seduced, and infuriated readers. The Custom of the Country sweeps across America and Europe at top speed during a time of immense economic and social change. The book whistles with modernity, and as I was writing this adaptation, Sydney Sweeney lived in my head as this iconic character.”
The project had previously been slated as a miniseries in 2020 by Sofia Coppola, with Florence Pugh attached, but that version for Apple never materialized.
The film is being produced by Charles Finch, Sydney Sweeney, Alison Owen of Monumental Pictures, and StudioCanal, which is also fully financing the project. StudioCanal will release the film theatrically across the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and the Benelux region, while also handling worldwide sales at EFM.
“I’ve worked for many years to bring Custom of the Country to the screen,” said Finch. “I’m delighted with Josie’s adaptation, and the power, passion, and fun that Sydney will bring to the role.”
The project marks a reunion between Sweeney and StudioCanal, which released her recent box office hit ‘The Housemaid’ in Australia and New Zealand, as per Variety.
Anna Marsh, CEO of StudioCanal, added, “We are thrilled to bring Custom of the Country to the big screen, guided by Josie Rourke’s vision to translate Edith Wharton’s sharp and timeless observations into a new cinematic era. We are delighted to collaborate once again with the immensely talented Sydney Sweeney as the formidable Undine Spragg.”
. MI ARN