Nicholas Hoult has joined the cast of ‘The Favourite’.
The ‘Equals’ star is set to join ‘La La Land’ actress Emma Stone, 28, in the forthcoming biopic about Queen Anne [Olivia Colman] which is directed by filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos.
The 27-year-old actor will be reunited with his ‘About A Boy’ co-star Rachel Weisz in the feature film, the pair starred alongside in comedy film with lead star Hugh Grant in 2002.
According to Deadline, Hoult plays Tory party leader, Harley, who was in power during the reign of Queen Anne in the 17th and early 18th century.
The script has been written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara.
Ceci Dempsey from Scarlet Films, Ed Guiney of Element Pictures and Lee Magiday – who worked with Yorgos on ‘The Lobster’ as producer – will produce the movie and Andrew Lowe, also from Element, is the executive producer.
The story follows the story of Anne – who became queen in 1702 – right up until her death in August 1714 and how she died childless despite going through 17 pregnancies.
At present, Hoult has just finished production of historical drama ‘The Current War’, in which he portrays Nikola Tesla and stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, giving him plenty of experience for the role in ‘The Favourite’.
‘The Current War’ is one of two movies that centre around the feud between Edison and Westinghouse, as Black Bear Pictures is currently developing ‘The Last Days of Night’ which will star Eddie Redmayne as the lawyer caught in the middle of the patent battle that ensued following Edison’s discovery of the electrical current.
‘The Favourite’ is slated for release in 2018.