Emma Donoghue's “Room” is a tremendous book. Centering on a mother and son locked up against their will in a finished shed, under watch by a man they know little about, the story blossoms from a self-contained kidnapping narrative into an emotionally complex character study as psyches crack. The novel”s structure would prove difficult to adapt in typical three-act screenplay structure. That isn”t stopping “Frank” and “What Richard Did” director Lenny Abrahamson, who starts shooting his adaptation of “Room” with a cast capable of tacking its physically demanding roles.
Brie Larson will star in the film alongside just announced castmembers William H. Macy, Joan Allen, and “Smurfs 2” actor Jacob Tremblay as the son. Sean Bridgers, Tom McCamus and Megan Park also join the cast. Hoping for Gillian Flynn-like results, Donoghue adapts from her own novel. The film begins shooting this week at Pinewood Studios. A24 picked up U.S. distribution rights for Room in May.
Larson”s been in high demand after her turn in 2013″s “Short Term 12,” a role that earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress. She”ll next be seen in “The Gambler” with Mark Wahlberg and Judd Apatow”s “Trainwreck.” She recently signed on opposite Daniel Radcliffe in “Brooklyn Bridge,” a Washington Roebling biopic. Macy and Allen add their own cred to “Room”; Macy earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination in 1997 for “Fargo” while Allen is a three-time Best Actress nominee, a nod she earned most recently for 2000″s “The Contender.”
For those who read the book: Is “Room” shaping up to be the adaptation you envisioned?