According to Heat Vision, Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer (The Help, The Divergent Series: Insurgent) is the first to join Fox Searchlight‘s currently-untitled next project from acclaimed genre filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.
Although details are being kept under wraps, the project is described broadly as “a mysterious and magical journey set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963 with an otherworldly love story at the center of it.” This description does not conform to any of del Toro’s previously-announced projects, though by working on it under the Searchlight banner indicates that it will be significantly smaller in scope than previous projects (Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak) and be geared more towards awards season than box office, ala Pan’s Labyrinth.
Despite the secrecy, the project is apparently coming along well and planned for a late-summer shoot, as evidenced by a Tweet from the director.
The Searchlight movie is shaping up nicely. Start as planned in mid-August.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) March 17, 2016
Octavia Spencer will next be seen in reprising her role of Johanna in The Divergent Series: Allegiant.
