Gael Garcia Bernal and Michelle Williams have been cast in Lukas Moodysson’s first english-language feature Mammoth, it was announced today by producer Lars Jönsson of Memfis Film. Nominated for an Academy Award for her work in Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain, Michelle’s credits to date include Thomas McCarthy’s The Station Agent, Wim Wenders’ Land of Plenty and more recently Todd Haynes’ Venice prize-winner I’m Not There. Michelle recently completed Marcel Langenegger’s The Tourist, Sharon Maguire’s Incendiary and Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York. ”In Michelle Williams I feel that we have found the perfect actress for the part of Ellen, and the perfect match for Gael Garcia Bernal. She relays intelligence, poise and presence in every character she plays. For me, her role in Brokeback Mountain is one of the most honest portrayals on screen,” Moodysson commented. His previous films, Fucking Åmål (aka Show me Love), Together and Lilya 4-ever, established him firmly as one of the most original filmmakers around. His films have had marked box office success, received numerous awards and enjoyed critical acclaim.With Mammoth, Moodysson will take on his most ambitious project yet. Principal photography starts on November 5 in Thailand, moving on to the Phillipines, Sweden and New York.
Mammoth revolves around successful New York couple Leo (Bernal) and Ellen (Williams), their 8-year old daughter Jackie and their Filipino nanny Gloria. On a business trip to Thailand Leo realizes that he wants to change his life. His decision sets in motion a highly intense and dramatic chain of events (pictured: Michelle Williams).