Cotillard, Seydoux to star in Dolan’s next French-language feature

MONTREAL – Production is set to being next month on Xavier Dolan’s next film, a French-language feature starring Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassel.

Dolan says he’s thrilled to work with such “inspiring talent” on “It’s Only the End of the World” (Juste La Fin Du Monde). The Canada-France co-production also stars Nathalie Baye and Gaspard Ulliel.

The film is based on a play by Jean-Luc Lagarce of the same name. It centres on a writer who returns to his hometown, planning to announce his upcoming death to his family.

Dolan says he was introduced to the play many years ago by muse Anne Dorval, whose Dolan credits include “Mommy” and “I Killed My Mother.”

The Quebec writer/director says he will shoot the film in late May before starting on his first English-language project, “The Life and Death of John F. Donovan,” starring Kit Harington and Jessica Chastain.

Dolan says he hopes “It’s Only the End of the World” could “bridge the genre chasm” between his mother-son drama “Mommy” and “John F.”

“It’s the second time I’m adapting a play and I have to admit that so far, for me, novels and plays have been the regal road to screenwriting,” Dolan said in a release.

“I love adaptations and they challenge me in a different way. It’s humbling to translate someone’s world, someone’s intimate creation to the screen. It’s a big responsibility. And it’s a risk. So that’s all very, very inspiring.”