Octavia Spencer to reunite with director Tate Taylor in “Ma”
Octavia Spencer is reuniting with “The Help” director Tate Taylor on “Ma,” a new film that's being described as a combination of a horror pic and a psychological thriller. “Ma” will be produced by Jason Blum's Blumhouse Productions, the makers of “Insidious,” “The Purge,” and the Oscar-nominated smash “Get Out.”
“It's dark material, but it's also really fun,” Taylor said. “Octavia is so likable that we usually see her in certain roles. But she's such a good actress and this is such a complex character that if I do my job right, people in the audience are going to want to push pause and say, 'Can we please take you out for coffee so you don't do what you're about to do.'”
Juliette Lewis, an Oscar nominee for “Cape Fear,” and Luke Evans will co-star. Production begins in Mississippi on Monday, with some of the shooting taking place on Taylor's 100-acre spread and Greek Revival mansion. Spencer, who formerly lived with Taylor when they were trying to break out in the movie business, will be staying with him.
Taylor is keeping mum about what role Spencer will be playing.
“I wouldn't call her a villain,” he said. “It's definitely the most complex character she's ever played, if I may be so bold as to say that.”
It's a busy time for Spencer. She's back in the Oscar race, having scored her third nomination for “The Shape of Water.” She also appeared in the Sundance Film Festival favorite “A Kid Like Jake.”
Blum and John Norris (“The Help”) are producing “Ma.” The project was brought to Blumhouse and developed by Ryan Turek, a VP at the company, who will co-produce the movie. Also joining the cast are Diana Silvers, Corey Fogelmanis, McKaley Miller, Dante Brown, and Gianni Paolo.
Spencer is represented by WME and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein. Lewis is represented by UTA and Untitled Entertainment. Evans is represented by WME and United Agents. Taylor and Landes are represented by CAA. Landes is also represented by attorney Lev Ginsburg.
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