The Wrap is reporting that real-life siblings Dakota Fanning (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Elle Fanning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) are to play sisters in a feature film adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s 2015 novel The Nightingale.
“The Nightingale will be the first time we act on screen together. We have played the same character at different ages [in 2001’s I Am Sam) but have never spoken to each other in front of a camera,” said the sisters in a joint statement. “For years, we have looked for a film to do with one another and then this gem appeared. As sisters, to share our artistry with each other while bringing such a powerful sister story to life is a dream come true. We are so lucky to have our fearless director, Mélanie Laurent, to guide us along on the journey. Let’s do this, sister!!”
“The Nightingale squares perfectly with TriStar’s mission to tell stories from fresh perspectives,” added Nicole Brown, EVP at TriStar. “It’s rare to see the story of a war from the female point of view – ‘The Nightingale’ celebrates unsung heroes whose lives are just as much at risk but whose accomplishments and sacrifices have never been fully recognized.”
The film is to be directed by Melanie Laurent (Galveston) and “follows two sisters coming of age in France on the eve of World War II and tells the story or their struggle to survive the German occupation of the country.”