In the latest casting news, acclaimed actor Carla Gugino has been confirmed to portray Hollywood icon Vivien Leigh in the upcoming biopic “The Florist”. Directed by Nick Sandow, known for his role in “Orange Is The New Black”, the film will delve into the life of the two-time Oscar-winning actress renowned for her roles in “Gone With the Wind” and “A Streetcar Named Desire”.
Screenwriter Jayce Bartok, recognized for his work on “The Cake Eaters”, has penned the script based on a collection of intimate love letters. The biopic will shed light on Leigh’s battle with bipolar disorder during the 1960s, particularly during her preparation for the lead role in a Broadway production.
Gugino expressed her excitement about portraying Leigh, stating, “I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to excavate a woman as complex, contradictory, and compelling as Vivien. From the moment I read the script, I knew ‘The Florist’ was a journey I had to pursue.”
The film’s official synopsis teases a poignant narrative as Leigh’s path crosses with Joseph Penn, a WWII veteran and blue-collar florist, while she undergoes electroconvulsive therapy at a local psychiatric facility. Against the backdrop of chaos, their encounter evolves into a tale of truth, beauty, and love.
“The Florist” is slated to commence production in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the end of the summer.
