Coupled with the news that Christian Bale would be starring in an upcoming film for Terrence Malick was the mention of four young actresses being up for the female lead. This lucky group was made up of Rooney Mara, Haley Bennet, Clemence Poesy, and Mia Wasikowska; all fine choices, with the first and last of those names being the biggest stars.

Knowing his history for picking actresses leaves me unsurprised to hear that he’s going with a somewhat smaller name, since Variety has learned that Haley Bennett is the frontrunner for the upcoming picture. They mention that “no deal has been struck,” but she’s apparently on the verge of signing. As I said when the first news emerged, it would be hard for a young actress to turn down the opportunity of starring for the filmmaker, so I fully expect her to take the role.

Much like Sissy Spacek and Jessica Chastain before they joined Badlands and The Tree of Life, respectively, Bennett has had a small career thus far; she starred in The Haunting of Molly Hartley, while supporting roles in Marley & Me and Kaboom have been among her most prolific work yet. Frankly, when it comes to actresses he’s chosen wisely enough thus far where I don’t doubt her ability.

We don’t know too much about the project so far, other than the fact that it’s a small drama “driven by a pair of dominant leads, one male and one female.” Ryan Gosling might also star — if you believe Nicolas Winding Refn, that is. He isn’t mentioned by Variety as being involved; that might only be speculative at the moment. But, still, who really cares if he’s in it or not? A new Malick film is a new Malick film, and those aren’t something to take for granted.

Shooting will begin next summer, although his notoriously long editing process means that we might not see it for a while. Then again, with The Burial already being pegged for next year, maybe he’s working at a faster rate.

Is Bennett a good choice to star alongside Bale? Would you have preferred to see any of the other rumored actresses get the part?