By MICHAEL GINGOLD
There are grave doings in what promises to be a dark modern fairy tale, and is currently in preproduction.
Variety reports that Ann Dowd (THE HANDMAID’S TALE, COMPLIANCE) will star in THE UNDERTAKER’S CHILDREN, which will be introduced by production company The Exchange to buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival Market. Alex Gayner, who has served as assistant director on Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN films, PACIFIC RIM and numerous other genre movies, makes his feature directorial debut from a script by Natasha LePetit. The synopsis, according to the trade: Dowd stars as a secretive undertaker forced to take in two orphans. When her sinister plan for getting rid of the kids in her care is revealed, the children plan a daring escape and find themselves facing evil forces.
“THE UNDERTAKER’S CHILDREN is a commercial high-concept thriller with incredible twists and turns,” says Nat McCormick, The Exchange’s EVP of sales and distribution. “And who better to play this mysterious, complex lead than Ann Dowd, who has proven her incredible talent portraying characters ranging from the dark psyche of HANDMAID’s Aunt Lydia to the grief-stricken mother in MASS? Audiences are going to love this on many levels!”
