featuring @mckennagraceful @paulwhausergram
McKenna Grace, Paul Walter Hauser—who portrayed Moleman in the MCU’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps—and Louis Partridge have been cast in a new romantic comedy titled The Official Mistress. According to Deadline, the film explores the final days of the French monarchy, centering on King Louis XVI, portrayed by Hauser, the last monarch of France, and his pursuit of Comtesse Madeleine de Vascone, played by Grace. Madeleine serves as La Maîtresse-en-Titre, or the Official Mistress, in an effort to dispel rumors of impotence from the court and the nation.
The story also features Partridge as Rene Rennault, a humble cook willing to risk treason to become King Louis XVI’s taster, in hopes of saving his first love, Madeleine. The role of Marie Antoinette has not yet been cast, nor have other key roles including De Conte, D’Artois, Jacques, and Luc.
Directed and written by Matt Brown, known for The Man Who Knew Infinity, The Official Mistress promises a blend of history, humor, and romance. Producers include Brunson Green (Harbinger Pictures), Laura Rister (Esme Grace), Matt Brown, and Laura Bull (ReadyMade Films). Hauser expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I could not be more excited to play King Louis XVI. Matt Brown has crafted a screenplay that honors Louis’ waning political influence and controversial marriage, while weaving a charming tale full of levity, romance, and colorful characters. It’s a story that dares to face death for the greatest gift of all—love.”
Brown added, “Set against a tumultuous period in history, not entirely unlike our own, The Official Mistress celebrates love, food, sensuality, humor, and revolution in equal measure. I’ve wanted to tell an upstairs-downstairs story, and there’s no more extreme setting than Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s court—an irreverent take on history that reveals a deeply human story of longing, ambition, connection, and the courage to challenge a broken system. I’m thrilled to collaborate with Paul Walter Hauser, McKenna Grace, Louis Partridge, and our talented producers to bring this richly cinematic world to life.”
Grace’s upcoming film Nimrods is slated for release later this year, and she will also portray Daphne Blake in Netflix’s upcoming Scooby-Doo series. She is known for her roles in Scream 7, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and will soon join the Hunger Games franchise with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Partridge is enjoying a rising profile and is reportedly in the running to play James Bond in Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming 007 film.
Production is scheduled to begin in September across Europe. The filmmakers describe The Official Mistress as a female-centric period piece, blending tones reminiscent of Wuthering Heights, Shakespeare in Love, and Dangerous Liaisons.
The film’s release date has not yet been announced.
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