X-Men’s Ian McKellen and Red’s Helen Mirren have been cast in Bill Condon’s adaptation of psychological thriller, The Good Liar.
The project, which is directed by Beauty and the Beast’s Condon from a screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher (Mr Holmes), has been adapted from Nicholas Searle’s debut novel. The story focuses on the career of con artist Roy Courtnay (McKellen), who can hardly believe his luck when he meets well-to-do widow Betty McLeish (Mirren) online. As Betty opens her home and life to him, Roy is surprised to find himself caring for her, turning what should be a cut-and-dry swindle into the most treacherous tightrope walk of his life.
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McKellen and Condon have also previously worked together before on pictures such as Beauty and the Beast, Gods and Monsters and Mr Holmes.” Condon won an Oscar for best-adapted screenplay for Gods and Monsters, while McKellen was nominated for best actor.
McKellen was last heard as the voice of Cogsworth in Disney’s Live-Action remake of Beauty in the Beast. He also voices the character of Dr Cecil Pritchfield in an episode of Family Guy this year.
Mirren recently starred in the turkey that was Winchester, She is also lined up for the TV series of Catherine the Great. On the big screen she will be appearing in Berlin, I Love You opposite Keira Knightley, and Luke Wilson and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, again with Knightley and Morgan Freeman.
Greg Yolen and Condon are producing, and Jack Morrissey and BRON Creative’s Aaron L. Gilbert and Jason Cloth are executive producers.
