The Substance - What We Know So Far
Deadline has exclusively reported that casting for "The Substance" has begun. French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat penned the script and will also direct the film for Universal Pictures and Working Title Films. Fargeat's previous credits include the short films "Le télégramme" and "Reality+." Her first feature film "Revenge," had its worldwide debut at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, and ccording to IndieWire, the Western-style revenge thriller resulted in one audience member being removed from the screening after an especially intense scene. "Revenge" earned rave reviews from critics and has a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fargeat's decision to make another horror film marks a change of heart for the director. In a 2018 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Fargeat had said," "My next movie won't be horror. I like to do different things. But I think there are common elements that attract me: Some kind of excess, some kind of madness in the characters that can go very far for what they want, and also creating a not totally realistic universe." Presumably, that means that there's something so engaging about the plot of "The Substance" that she just couldn't resist going back to her roots.
For now, though, that plot is being kept under wraps. However, two big female stars have signed on to star in the film, which Fargeat is also producing. Here's everything we know so far about "The Substance."
Two Hollywood a-listers have signed on to star in the body horror film The Substance
According to Deadline, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley will star in "The Substance." Moore is a name you're certainly familiar with, as her film credits include "G.I. Jane," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," and "Striptease." Moore has also appeared on the TV series "Empire" and Peacock's short-lived dystopian drama "Brave New World."
While Moore is a veteran, Qualley is a notable up-and-comer. She has appeared in the films "Once Upon a Time ... In Hollywood" and "The Nice Guys," but at this point, she's far better known for her television resume, which includes Netflix's recent hit "Maid," and the FX biographical drama "Fosse/Verdon." The latter earned Qualley a 2019 Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie.
Production is set to begin in Paris in May. Per Deadline, "The Substance" will be "Fargeat's explosive feminist take on body horror." Looper will provide updates as they become available.