Acting Class | by Ari Aster, starring Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix

[Cremildo]

Earlier this week, Aster’s NYT interview had the filmmaker revealing that his next film would “almost certainly” be a western.

If that’s the case, then why has Production Weekly just posted another completely different Aster project in its listings, one we haven’t heard of — titled “Acting Class”?

The posting adds that Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix and Christopher Abbott have been “mentioned for roles,” that A24 will produce and gives us this plot synopsis:

Ten strangers are brought together under the tutelage of John Smith, a mysterious and morally questionable leader. The group of social misfits and restless searchers have one thing in common: they are out of step with their surroundings and desperate for change. A husband and wife, four years into their marriage and simmering in boredom. A single mother, her young son showing disturbing signs of mental instability. A peculiar woman with few if any friends and only her menial job keeping her grounded. A figure model, comfortable in his body and ready for a creative challenge. A worried grandmother and her adult granddaughter; a hulking laborer and gym nut; a physical therapist; an ex-con. With thrumming unease, the class sinks deeper into their lessons as the process demands increasing devotion. When the line between real life and imagination begins to blur, the group’s deepest fears and desires are laid bare.

The film is said to be an adaptation of acclaimed author Nick Drnaso’s novel of the same name. There don’t seem to be any “Western” components about that plot description.

Stone and Abbott had been spotted having dinner with Aster a few months ago. We were wondering if that had anything to do with a new project the three of them might be working on. Well, Production Weekly seems to have answered that this week. [source]