Paddy Considine is a longtime character actor who really deserves some bigger exposure. He’s disappeared into roles in a number of solid films including “In America,” “Cinderella Man,” “Hot Fuzz,” “The Bourne Ultimatum” and more. Any time he appears on screen it’s like we’ve never seen him before, but the actor is already taking the talent he’s long displayed in front of the camera behind it. He’s hitting Sundance this year with his debut feature, “Tyrannosaur.” Starring Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman, the film chronicles the relationship between a violence-fuelled man in search of redemption, and a woman who works in a Christian charity shop. Some harrowing stuff. But Considine already has his eyes on his next picture, and it’s a bit of a gear change.
Speaking with Total Film, Considine reveals that he plans to write and direct “The Leaning” next. The film “tells the story of young woman haunted by a childhood trauma who in adult life struggles to form meaningful relationships.” As Considine explains, “Every time she gets close to somebody she feels this presence.”
The actor/director plans to shoot the film in England and cites “The Exorcist” as the vibe he’s going for, zeroing in on the troubled relationship between mother and daughter for inspiration. Thematically, the film will be tied into the idea of legacies, “the thing people hang onto.” Considine plans to start writing the film soon and so of course, no casting is yet in place. But if you think just because you’ve worked with him before you’re getting in the film, guess again. Considine joked with “Tyrannosaur” star Olivia Coleman, “You’ll have to audition.”
