Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard & Vanessa Redgrave Join Animated Movie ‘The Turning Door’

Oscar winners Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard and Vanessa Redgrave will voice starring roles in the upcoming family fantasy animation film, The Turning Door, written and directed by filmmaker and artist Nicholas Ashe Bateman.

In addition, Swedish composer Anna von Hausswolff joins the cast, along with newcomer Pippa Kelly as the young heroine Ariadlyn.

Previously announced voice cast includes Alicia Vikander, Jamie Dornan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bill Nighy and Gillian Anderson. The cast will perform original songs and music written by Claire Givens and Bateman.

Mister Smith Entertainment will continue international sales at the upcoming TIFF market, where they will debut new footage from the film to foreign buyers.

The synopsis reads: “A little girl finds a mysterious box hidden in her parent’s closet. As it grows into an open door, she falls through to another world called The Turning. There, she must embark on a grand adventure of old magic, strange creatures, new lands, alchemy, dreams and songs, all to return home and save her parents.”

The film is produced by Christine D’Souza of After Hours , Hunter Hall and Nicholas Ashe Bateman of Maere Studios, and Laura Rister for Esme Grace Pictures. Production is currently underway.

Filmmaker Nicholas Ashe Bateman commented: “After many years of writing and dreaming about making parts for great actors, I am almost unable to express the gratitude, excitement and wonder I have for the profound gift of our cast. These are iconic artists. They bring their perspectives; their grand lives and views of the world, their immeasurable talents, towering performances, and a shared desire to make hopeful pictures for young people. Javier, Marion, Anna, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, and our dear heroine Pippa Kelly all possess a true magic which has transformed our epic. It has been the honour of my lifetime to bring these actors — each the greatest of their generation — finally together. These are happy dreams, and the happiest: we get to hear them all sing!”

Kharmel Cochrane has cast the film. Mister Smith Entertainment is handling international sales and co-repping domestic rights with After Hours.

Bardem is repped by WME, Goodman, Genow; Cotillard repped by CAA; Redgrave repped by Gavin Barker Associates and Arcierei Talent. Anna Von Hausswolf is repped by Outro and Clinton Music. Pippa Kelly by Thompson and Borland; and Bateman by UTA and Granderson Des Rochers.