Jessica Chastain has certainly made her mark on the film world in the last couple of years, even if her lack of big blockbuster Hollywood movies means she’s still not that well known to the general moviegoing public. She’s sticking with the sort of movies that bring a lot of critical acclaim even if they don’t always become breakout mianstream hits, as THR reports he’s take the title role in The Zookeeper’s Wife.
Based on Diane Ackerman’s non-fiction book, The Zookeeper’s Wife, the tome chronicles how Jan and Atonina Zabinski, who were the keepers at the Warsaw Zoo, turned it into a safe haven for Jews during the Second World War, after the Nazis invaded Poland. Persecuted Jews were hidden in cages and sheds (most of the animals were dead), as well as the Zabinski’s house.
Niki Caro (Whale Rider) is set to direct, with a script by Angela Workman. Now that Chastain is attached, the movie will be looking for buyers at Cannes later this month.