EXCLUSIVE: As production is about to begin on 3000 pictures adaptation of Klara and the Sun directed by Oscar winner Taika Waititi, Natasha Lyonne and Simon Baker have rounded out the cast, led by Jenna Ortega playing the titular character. Academy Award nominated actress Amy Adams, Mia Tharia and Aran Murphy also star in the film.
Eying a Fall theatrical release, the film is based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s New York Times best-selling novel, and is being produced by Heyday Films’ David Heyman, Garrett Basch and Waititi. Mr. Ishiguro will also exec produce. Heyday’s Jeffrey Clifford and Rosie Alison brought in the project to Heyday. Drew Reed was instrumental in bringing the project to 3000 Pictures and Sony. Elizabeth Gabler and Aislinn Dunster are overseeing the project for 3000 Pictures.
The novel tells the story of Klara (Ortega), an Artificial Friend designed to prevent loneliness. Klara is purchased by a mother (Adams) and a bright teen named Josie (Tharia) who adores her new robot companion, but suffers from a mysterious illness. This is the story of Klara’s quest to save Josie and those who love her from heartbreak and how in the process Klara learns the power of human love. Lyonne will play the shopkeeper and Baker will play Josie’s dad.
The novel, published in March 2021 by Alfred A. Knopf in the US and Faber in the UK, debuted on the New York Times’ Best Sellers Hardcover Fiction List at #3 and the Indie Best Sellers Hardcover Fiction List at #1.
Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Lyonne is coming off some of the best reviews of her career in Rian Johnson’s mystery series Poker Face, which she executive produces under her Animal Pictures banner. In addition to writing and directing an episode of the series, Lyonne plays Charlie, a smart-mouthed detective in the episodic anthology, which earned her a fifth Emmy nomination for Lead Actress, and her second Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical.
Lyonne also co-created the Netflix series Russian Doll, which won three Emmy Awards, a total of 14 Emmy nominations including Comedy Series and Lead Actress for Lyonne, and a Golden Globe acting nomination for Lyonne. Next up for Lyonne The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, premiering on Prime Video in February, which she exec produces and also stars in. She also has Azazel Jacobs’ film His Three Daughters, where she stars alongside Carrie Coon and Elizabeth Olsen.
Baker can currently be seen in the limited series Boy Swallows Universe, based on Trent Dalton’s critically acclaimed and award winning book of the same name and he is currently filming The Narrow Road to the Deep North with Jacob Elordi for director Justin Kurzel. His other credits include hit comedy drama The Devil Wears Prada, Margin Call andThe Ring Two.
Lyonne is repped by CAA. Baker is repped by CAA and United Management.
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