Mike Leigh has lifted the lid — ever so slightly — on his typically secretive next feature.
While the project is still known as “Untitled Mike Leigh 2025” and, as per usual, there’s not a whiff of a plot available, the lead cast has now been unveiled. And the iconoclast director has turned to a quartet of previous on-screen collaborators in Marion Bailey (“Mr.Turner”), Paul Jesson (“All or Nothing”), Kate O’Flynn (“Happy-Go-Lucky”) and Alice Bailey Johnson (“Hard Truths“).
There’s also the news that the film — his first since the multi-award-winning “Hard Truths” — is set to wrap in London next week.
But in terms of extra information beyond what was already known, that’s about it.
Frequent collaborators behind the camera include costume designer Jacqueline Durran, hair and make-up designer Nora Robertson, production designer Jane Brodie, composer Gary Yershon, editor Tania Reddin, director of photography Lucy Bristow and casting director Nina Gold.
As with “Hard Truths,” Bleecker Street and StudioCanal have boarded the project to distribute in the U.S. and U.K., respectively, while Cornerstone Films are handling international sales and continuing sales at the European Film Market.
Georgina Lowe of Leigh’s Thin Man Films again produces, with Gail Egan is executive producer. Film4 co-finances in association with Desmar, Merino Films, Ventureland and Creativity Media.
Cornerstone has revealed some new territory deal, with sales in Switzerland (Frenetic), Benelux (Cherry Pickers), Greece (Spentzos), Middle East (Italia), Turkey (Mars), Australia and New Zealand (Transmission) and Ex-Yugoslavia (MCF).
According to the Cornerstone website, the film continue’s Leigh’s “insightful exploration of the contemporary world,” which doesn’t really offer much. But for many, a new project from the seven-time Oscar nominated, thirteen-time BAFTA nominated and Cannes Palme d’Or-winning director behind “Secrets & Lies,” “Vera Drake,” “Topsy-Turvey” and “Happy-Go-Lucky” is more than enough.
“Hard Truths,” released in late 2024 and Leigh’s first film since “Peterloo,” starred Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a woman wracked by fear, tormented by afflictions and prone to tirades against her husband, son and anyone who looks her way. It won numerous awards for Jean-Baptiste and was BAFTA nominated for outstanding British film and leading actress.