Jacob Elordi, Lily-Rose Depp in talks to join Cormac McCarthy adaptation 'Outer Dark'

ANI May 17, 2025 337 views

Jacob Elordi and Lily-Rose Depp are circling roles in the cinematic adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's bleak 1968 novel. Director Laszlo Nemes describes his passion project as a haunting exploration of human darkness set during the Great Depression. The story follows siblings torn apart by infanticide and pursued by ominous strangers through Appalachia. This marks the Hungarian filmmaker's first English-language feature after his acclaimed Holocaust drama Son of Saul.

"An exciting road-movie, a terrible and beautiful journey into the labyrinth of the human soul" - Laszlo Nemes
Jacob Elordi, Lily-Rose Depp in talks to join Cormac McCarthy adaptation 'Outer Dark'
Washington, May 17: Actor Jacob Elordi and Lily-Rose Depp are in talks to star in Laszlo Nemes' adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's 1968 novel 'Outer Dark'.

Key Points

1

Oscar-winning Son of Saul director's English debut

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Appalachian Great Depression-era sibling tragedy

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Three mysterious pursuers bring destruction

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Nemes calls it a "cosmological work"

The film for which the shooting will start in 2026 will mark the English-language debut of Oscar-winning 'Son of Saul' filmmaker Laszlo Nemes.

'Outer Dark' is set in Appalachia during the Great Depression and tells of a young woman who bears her brother's baby. The brother leaves the nameless infant in the woods to die, but tells his sister that the newborn died of natural causes and had to be buried, reported Deadline.

The sister discovers this lie and sets out to find the baby for herself. But as both brother and sister separately move through the countryside, three terrifying strangers are on their tails, wreaking death and destruction wherever they appear, as per the outlet.

While talking about the film, Laszlo Nemes said, "Since reading Outer Dark the first time, it has been my dream to make it into a film, and to find the appropriate cinematic language that would do justice to Cormac McCarthy's evocative and cosmological work."

"Joined by two magnetic actors, I now feel it's possible. The extraordinary source material is a profound inspiration to build a unique world that vibrates with life and death at the same time. An exciting road-movie, a terrible and beautiful journey into the labyrinth of the human soul - this is the ambition I have for Outer Dark," Nemes added.

Nemes recently completed his third film, 'Orphan' (also produced by Goodridge).

Alongside Orphan, Goodridge is also in post-production on Edward Berger's next film, The Ballad of A Small Player, starring Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton, reported Deadline.

Reader Comments

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Priya K.
Interesting choice of actors! Jacob Elordi has that brooding intensity perfect for McCarthy's dark themes. But I wonder if Lily-Rose can pull off the Appalachian setting - her French accent might be distracting. Still, Nemes' vision gives me hope! 🤞
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Rahul S.
Cormac McCarthy's works are always so heavy. After watching Son of Saul, I trust Nemes to handle dark material sensitively. But 2026 is so far away! Hope they don't change the cast by then.
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Ananya M.
The plot sounds intense! Reminds me of some Indian folk tales where children are abandoned in forests. Wonder if they'll draw any parallels to our mythology? The three strangers chasing them could be like the Trimurti in destructive mode 😅
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Vikram J.
Not sure about this casting. Both actors come from very privileged backgrounds - can they authentically portray Great Depression-era poverty? McCarthy's work deserves actors who've known struggle. This might be miscasting.
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Sneha P.
Excited for this! Son of Saul was brilliant, and McCarthy's writing is so cinematic. Hope they don't water down the dark elements for mainstream audiences. The baby abandonment theme will be tough to watch but important storytelling.
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Karan D.
Interesting to see Depp's daughter taking on such serious roles instead of just modeling gigs. Hope she proves herself! The director's vision sounds ambitious - "vibrates with life and death" - that's quite the promise. Fingers crossed it delivers!

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Tags:
Jacob Elordi Lily-Rose Depp Cormac McCarthy Outer Dark Laszlo Nemes film adaptation Son of Saul