While Cloud Atlas has been in the works for years, initially with Tom Whyker directing and now with both him and the Wachowski siblings, it’s taken a long time to put together. Now an autumn shoot is planned and the directors are adding to the cast with Actor Ben Whishaw signing up. Back in April it was also rumoured Hugo Weaving would be part of the film, and now his deal has been finalised, according to THR.
The project is based onthe David Mitchell novel, which follows six story lines that develop in different time periods. These include stories about a 19th century American notary, a poor British musician in the 1930s, a journalist in 1970s California, a vanity press publisher in the early 21st century, a rebellious clone in the near future and a primitive Hawaiian tribesman surviving after the apocalypse. Each actor in the film will be playing multiple roles.
The cast also includes Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, who just cemented her deal. The actors will each play multiple roles in Cloud Atlas, although it isn’t known exactly which roles they’ll play. Cloud Atlas is certainly an interesting prospect, and it’s probably taken so long to put together because it’s so unsual, as not only are there multiple stories, but the structure works through the tales from 1-6 and then works backwards again, until you’ve returned to the first tale.
Filming is scheduled to begin this September.