Sydney Sweeney Lands Exciting Lead in New Film Following The Housemaid Triumph
After her breakout performance in The Housemaid, Sydney Sweeney is already stepping into a new leading role, teaming up with Paul Feig and Lionsgate for her next big-screen venture as The Housemaid continues its theatrical run across the US.
Sydney Sweeney is definitely not taking a break after 'The Housemaid.' With that movie doing blockbuster numbers (we're talking about $247 million worldwide, which is pretty wild for a thriller), it looks like she's already landed her next big gig. And this one's a period drama with some serious literary pedigree.
Fresh Off ‘The Housemaid,’ Sweeney Leaps Into Edith Wharton Territory
So here’s the deal: Sweeney just got cast in 'Custom of the Country,' a movie adaptation of Edith Wharton’s classic novel. That’s not really the vibe you’d associate with the woman who just played a deadly housemaid, but hey – range. She’s not just acting in this one, she’s producing too. (If you’re keeping score, yes, she’s moving up in Hollywood.)
What’s ‘Custom of the Country’? Quick Breakdown:
- Story: Sweeney is taking on the lead role of Undine Spragg, who starts out somewhere in the Midwest and heads to early 1900s New York basically determined to break into high society by any means necessary. She's described as having beauty, hustle, and a stubborn determination to claw her way up, even if she makes waves in the process.
- Director/Writer: Josie Rourke is both writing and directing here. You might know her from 'Mary Queen of Scots' (2018), so she’s got experience with big period dramas and messy old-school power struggles.
- Production: Filming’s apparently starting 'imminently' (translation: any day now), but so far, no word about the rest of the cast. Expect some high society drama and, if you know Wharton, a lot of characters who are very, very bad at saying what they actually mean.
- Release: There’s no release date yet. StudioCanal is backing it, so expect something higher end, not a quick Netflix drop.
A Couple Industry Voices Weigh In
Josie Rourke, the director and writer, is pretty hyped on her new star. She said:
'As I was writing this adaptation, Sydney Sweeney lived in my head as this iconic character – it's as if Wharton sat down a century ago and wrote the role for her.'
Producer Charles Finch threw some love at Sweeney, too, basically promising her performance will bring, in his words, 'power, passion and fun' to the role. If Wharton adaptations aren’t usually what you’d call 'fun,' maybe this one will have a little more bite.
One More Thing: Sweeney’s Hot Streak
Just so you’re tracking Sweeney’s career trajectory: she’s riding high after 'The Housemaid' (in theaters now, by the way), which paired her with Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. That movie was based on Freida McFadden’s recent novel, so she’s clearly not afraid of book adaptations these days. Plus, that one did so well that a sequel is now in development. Don’t be surprised if Sweeney’s new Wharton role is just the beginning of a whole different phase in her career.
More updates when casting news and a release window drop, but for now, if you like your social climbing with a side of turn-of-the-century drama, this one should be on your radar.