The Oscar winning actress Rachel Weisz (The Favorite, The Lobster) is planning to star and executive produce in a TV adaptation of Dead Ringers for Amazon, as reported by Deadline. The streaming giant already ordered a straight-to-series for the project, which is a reimagining with a gender swap of the 1988 cult classic film by David Cronenberg.
The original movie starred Jeremy Irons (Watchmen, The Lion King) as a set of identical twin gynecologists, who share everything, including drugs, women, and a drive to push the boundaries of medical ethics in an effort to challenge antiquated practices in women’s healthcare. But the relationship between the two begins to spiral out of control after one of the twins becomes emotionally attached to a woman, played by Geneviève Bujold (Coma, Murder by Decree).
Deadline claims that while the TV adaptation is expected to have a similar feel to the original movie, it will ultimately have a different tone and explore different themes such as women’s health and the issues it faces.
Albert Cheng, COO and Co-head of Television at Amazon Studios had this to say about the project in The Hollywood Reporter:
“As one of today’s most accomplished and versatile actresses, Rachel Weisz will captivate the Amazon Prime Video global audience with her take on these two ruthless, twisted characters[.] This update to Dead Ringers explores the darker side of medicine, obsession, and the human condition, making it a compelling addition to our slate of Amazon Original series.”
Weisz also responded on the project via The Hollywood Reporter:
“I am so lucky to have such brilliant partners in Annapurna and Amazon Studios, and I’m thrilled to be collaborating with the exceptionally talented Alice Birch. I can’t wait to go on this journey with all of them.”
Weisz, who was responsible for bringing the project to Annapurna TV, will executive produce next to writer Alice Birch (Hulu’s Normal People). They are also joined by Stacy O’Neil, Annapurna’s Megan Ellison (Her, Zero Dark Thirty), Sue Naegle (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs), Ali Krug (Soundtrack), James G Robinson (The Last of the Mohicans, Ace Ventura), David Robinson and Barbara Wall (The Exorcist) for Morgan Creek.
Image Credit: Raymond Flotat