Laura Collyer‘s new project has just gained some Oscar-nominated star power. Naomi Watts (21 Grams) and Matt Dillon (Crash) have both signed onto star in Sunlight Jr. [Deadline]
Written and directed by Collyer, Sunlight Jr. tells the story of two low lifes who have become lost in society. Melissa, (Watts) who is a hard-working store clerk trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty and ignorance with her paraplegic boyfriend Richie (Dillon). Melissa becomes pregnant, which sheds light on their situation, but things quickly spiral downhill when she looses her job and they are forced to live in a motel.
Collyer‘s past work entails the 1999 documentary centered on a Puerto Rican family living in NYC titled, Nuyorican Dreams and more recently SherryBaby, which Maggie Gyllenhaal received a Golden Globe nomination for. Sunlight Jr will be produced by Charlie Corwin (Half Nelson), Andrea Roa (The Aspen Papers) and Ariel Elia. Joshua Skurla (Rio, I Love You) will serve as Executive Producer.
Although Collyer gained some Hollywood recognition with 2006’s SherryBaby, having Watts and Dillon star in her project will definitely take it to the next level. Both actors are no strangers to drama based narratives, which Collyer seems to be drawn to. Collyer has also signed on to direct a film based on the life of Julia Butterfly Hill, the woman who lived in a tree named Luna for upwards of two years; it will star Rachel Weisz. Her adaption of Sara Zarr’s 2007 novel, Story of a Girl, is in pre-production as well, with Terrence Howard, Kevin Bacon and Mary-Kate Olsen all rumored to star.
Do you think Collyer has a bright future in Hollywood?