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Francis ford Coppola’s 1974 film The Conversation is being revived as a television series to be written and directed by J.C. Chandor. The remake of the iconic film is being developed by Paramount via the MRC studio, which has optioned the TV rights from the Coppola estate. Chandor will be directing the project under the aegis of his CounterNarrative Films entity.
Casting for the new television series has not yet been announced, though rumors are swirling that Aubrey Plaza has been asked to contemplate playing the lead role, reversing the gender dynamics of the production—the original 1974 film starred Gene Hackman as surveillance expert Harry Caul.
As reported by IndieWire, here’s the synopsis for the TV remake of one of Coppola’s most critically acclaimed cinematic works: “Based on Francis Ford Coppola’s seminal 1974 film, “The Conversation” follows luddite Harry Caul, a surveillance specialist obsessed with privacy, as she becomes entangled in a corporate espionage mystery that is bigger than she ever imagined. As she gets deeper, the surveillant becomes the surveilled, and she’ll have to step outside of her reclusive life and make the personal connections she’s been avoiding to find answers, and save herself.”
Coppola’s original film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and . The Conversation was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Sound Design. Chandor most recently directed the Sony Marvel movie Kraven the Hunter, which is scheduled to debut on August 30, after delays caused by the Writers Guild strike. The director also helmed Margin Call, All Is Lost, Triple Frontier, and A Most Violent Year.
The 50-year-old Chandor had originally directed commercials. He first came to the attention of the viewing public in 2011 when his first feature, Margin Call, debuted at Sundance and was nominated for a Golden Bear award at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival. His second feature, All Is Lost, was released in 2013, starring Robert Redford in a film with little dialogue.
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