It’s still so early into this film’s development, yet I still find myself immeasurably excited with each passing development. But, having seen (and being blown back by) A Separation, that’s just the sort of weight Asghar Farhadi now carries. Even if that wasn’t one of the best films I’ve seen in the past five years, the casting on his next effort — a currently-untitled transition to the world of French-language cinema — would be enough to generate some real interest on the part of yours truly. When you combine all of it, though? I’m thrilled at this project’s very existence.

Variety reports that A Prophet star Tahar Rahim (and an unnamed Iranian actor) will join a fellow Jacques Audiard veteran, Marion Cotillard, for the drama, which we only know as an “emotional social thriller” — which, while similar to A Separation, is said to have a twistier screenplay. That, needless to say, is a pretty tall order, but I can’t wait to see if Farhadi‘s capable of delivering a worthy follow-up.

Memento Films Productions are behind the drama, which will commence shooting in Paris this fall.

Are you optimistic about this casting, and the film in general?