Paul Mescal has replaced Jamie Dornan in the upcoming movie adaptation of the world famous opera 'Carmen'.
Mescal will play the male lead opposite Melissa Barrera, who stars in the title role.
Barrera next stars in the adaptation of Lin Manuel-Miranda's musical 'In the Heights'. She'll also star in 'Scream 5'. Spanish actor Rossy de Palma co-stars.
French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied ('Black Swan') will direct the feature. Oscar winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris Jr. ('Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance') is penning it.
Oscar-nominated music composer Nicholas Britell ('Moonlight') is composing an original score. The musical will feature nine new songs.
The movie shifts 'Carmen' from the 19th century to the modern day. The tragedy deals with the love and jealousy of Don Jose. He abandons his duty as a soldier and his lover Micaela when he is seduced by the gypsy girl Carmen.
Shooting will start in January in Australia and takes place over seven weeks.
Mescal told Variety: "I’m honored to have been cast alongside Melissa, an actor I greatly admire and it’s an incredible privilege to be working with Benjamin on his first feature, who has put together such an impressive creative team."
Director Millepied said of the actor: "Paul has so much nuance and consideration in his work."
Aside from his breakout role in 'Normal People', Mescal also starred in the series 'The Deceived'.
In recent weeks, he wrapped on his debut feature film, 'The Lost Daughter', directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and co-starring Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson.
Mescal got much praise when he sang with Dermot Kennedy for the 'Some Summer Night' broadcast. So we know he'll have the singing chops for this gig.
