The fruits of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence‘s collaboration on The Silver Linings Playbook won’t be seen for another ten months or so, but if you’re the optimistic kind, take this news as a hint as to how that’s turned out. According to Vulture, the two are reteaming for Serena, an adaptation of Ron Rash‘s period novel produced by Mark Cuban‘s 2929 Entertainment and set to be directed by In a Better World helmer Susanne Bier. Darren Aronofsky was once circling the project for Angelina Jolie to star — but that didn’t go through and, hence, isn’t really worth discussing.

The gist of the plot goes like this: In 1929 North Carolina, “young newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton move to build a timber empire,” one which makes them unafraid “to kill or destroy anyone who opposes them.” However, when Serena learns of her own infertility, she “launches a deadly vendetta against her husband’s illegitimate son.”

As Vulture sums it up, the titular character is very much a Lady Macbeth-like role for Lawrence — which, you’ll probably feel, is very exciting. Now, how about the project itself? Well, Susanne Bier is something of a black mark (because she’s, like, bad), but I have enough respect and fondness for the two leads — and see some great potential in the story for them — to care in the meantime.

Have you read Serena? What do you think of this group adapting it?