Keira Knightley has signed up to play Helene in the movie adapt of Alessandro Barrico’s bestselling novel Silk set in the 19th century.
Possibly wresting semi-celebrity bear tamer from its post as Empire’s favourite profession, a married silkworm smuggler, Herve Joncour, travels to Japan. While there he becomes obsessed with the European concubine of a local baron and despite not speaking the same language they write letters to each other until war intervenes and Joncour’s wife Helene begins to suspect.
The Red Violin’s Francois Girard (who also wrote the script) is set to direct, and Michael Pitt is a possibility for Joncour. Shooting will begin in spring after Knightley’s finished with Pirates 2.