Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard, Vanessa Redgrave Join ‘The Turning Door’ Animated Cast

Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard, and Vanessa Redgrave have joined the growing A-list voice cast of indie animated feature The Turning Door. Swedish composer Anna von Hausswolff (Iconoclasts, Sound of Falling) also joins the cast of the upcoming family fantasy animation epic directed by filmmaker and artist Nicholas Ashe Bateman (The Wanting Mare), along with newcomer Pippa Kelly, who plays the lead, the young heroine Ariadlyn. The film’s plot, according to an official summary, follows Ariadlyn, a little girl who finds a “mysterious box hidden in her parent’s closet. As it grows into an open door, she falls through to another world called The Turning. There, she must embark on a grand adventure of old magic, strange creatures, new lands, alchemy, dreams and songs, all to return home and save her parents.” They join previously-announced cast including Alicia Vikander, Jamie Dornan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bill Nighy, and Gillian Anderson. Cast members will perform original songs and music for the film written by Bateman and Claire Givens (Mother Mary, People Museum). “After many years of writing and dreaming about making parts for great actors, I am almost unable to express the gratitude, excitement and wonder I have for the profound gift of our cast,” Bateman said in a statement. “These are iconic artists. They bring their perspectives; their grand lives and views of the world, their immeasurable talents, towering performances, and a shared desire to make hopeful pictures for young people….These are happy dreams, and the happiest: we get to hear them all sing!” The film is produced by Christine D’Souza of After Hours , Hunter Hall and Nicholas Ashe Bateman of Maere Studios, and Laura Rister for Esme Grace Pictures. Production is currently underway. Mister Smith Entertainment is handling international sales for The Turning Door and co-repping domestic rights with After Hours. After introducing it to buyers at AFM last year, the company will be continuing to pitch the project to distributors at TIFF: The Market in Toronto later this month. Bardem is repped by WME, Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, Cotillard repped by CAA, Redgrave repped by Gavin Barker Associates and Arcierei Talent. Anna Von Hausswolf repped by Outro and Clinton Music. Pippa Kelly by Thompson and Borland, and Bateman by Houston Costa and Danie Streisand at UTA and Granderson Des Rochers.