Eva Mendes is set to star in **Wrecking Ball, the directorial debut of Beatrice Letterier, according to French magazine Ecran Large (helpfully spotted by Collider).
Does that surname sound familiar? Yup, Beatrice is the wife of Louis Letterier, director of** The Transporter**, The Incredible Hulk and Clash of the Titans. Film is a family affair at chez Letterier; Louis' father is also a director, and his mother a costume designer.
If you think Beatrice's Wrecking Ball sounds like a crunchy actioner to rival her husband's oeuvre though, you're mistaken. The film, described as a "dramatic comedy" (is that different to a comedy drama?) involves a fractious Christmas family reunion, and a secret to which a five-year-old girl holds the key. And then Jason Statham turns up to deliver a package. Actually, no, not that last part.
Beatrice isn't exactly a newbie behind the camera; she's been directing commercials and music videos in Europe for some years now. Wrecking Ball is her first attempt at full-length though, but whether or not it also constitutes a first giant step across the Atlantic remains to be seen: it's unclear so far whether this is a Hollywood project, or a European one that's bagged an American star.
Mendes is thought to be playing a mother, but again, whether that's the mother of the five-year-old or one matriarch among several in a large family, is yet to be revealed. The source suggests it's a role with some dramatic heft to it, so it seems the actress will need her We Own the Night game face, rather than her Other Guys comedic talents.
Mendes is the first star attached, but it's thought that her presence will help the film gain momentum. Expect further developments before too long.