McAvoy and Penn Cast in Redfords THE CONSPIRATOR
Looks like Robert Redfords new film is getting itself a decent cast. James McAvoy and Robin Wright Penn have been cast in The Conspirator, which is a period drama based on the true events following the assassination of President Lincoln. The film will revolve around Mary Surratt who will be played by Wright Penn. Surratt was the only woman among the group charged for conspiring to assassinate Lincoln. McAvoy will play Frederick Aiken, an idealistic young war hero who reluctantly defends Surratt and in the process comes to believe she is innocent.
The film is being funded by a great little company called the American Film Co, which has been developed to tell historically accurate American stories. Who awesome is that!? They are dedicating themselves to bring American history to life accurately. This may be may new favorite production company because I love these kinds of films! As advisers on the film the company has engaged Pulitzer Prize winner James McPherson and Lincoln assassination experts Thomas Turner and U.S. Army regimental historian Col. Fred Borch.
Online brokerage entrepreneur Joe Ricketts is the guy that set up the company and he had this to say:
Stories from our history are often more compelling than fiction. Mary Surratt's trial is a powerful, relevant story.
I'm really interested in seeing the story being brought back to life on the big screen, and I'm excited to see what other film project the company has up their sleeve.
Source: Variety