Duchess’ Saul Dibb Courts ‘Spider Dance’

The lush 18th century set The Duchess may not have been a guaranteed box office return, but it might have been a great calling card for helmer Saul Dibb. The filmmaker is in talks currently in talks to take on the 19th century. THR reports that he may take on another story-line featuring a defiant, young female protagonist with Spider Dance. 

Long time actor Peter Sumner’s script takes place in Australia (but wouldn’t be filmed there) and would center on a young American who arrives in a repressed part of Sydney with an extensive entourage of actors and other celebrities in tow and proceeds to shock the locals with her uninhibited ways. The film also traces the arc of the woman’s addictions and romantic pursuits. John Rhys-Davies is already on board.

The project is still in the infancy stages, but prod. co. Leo Media Group is looking to start shooting early next year in locations including Australia and Germany. Who would you cast in the lead role? Carey Mulligan? What did you think of The Duchess?