A new comedy film is set to see stars come together from Bridgerton, Star Wars and Harry Potter.
Maria will tell the story of a young woman with a history of running away from reality and will star Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones in the titular role.
Jones is well known for her roles as Jane Hawking in The Theory of Everything and Jyn Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
However, she's not the only big name in the cast of the upcoming comedy.
Related: Obi-Wan boss teases how series fits into Star Wars timeline
Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey will play opposite Jones as Maria's boyfriend Eddie.
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Meanwhile, Harry Potter's Jason Isaacs will portray the role of Maria's father.
The story will follow the life of Maria as she struggles to accept her age, her boyfriend's love and her father's indifference.
However, Maria soon spots an opportunity to feel young, free and desirable at her father's wedding, where she meets Raffy, her new stepbrother.
Their clear, if inconvenient, sexual chemistry is made worse by the news that Maria's father has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Related: Star Wars actor John Boyega admits he'd love a role in Netflix's Bridgerton
The new project comes from writer and director Simon Amstell following his critically acclaimed feature Benjamin.
Announcing the news of the upcoming film, Amstell commented: "I'm incredibly excited to begin shooting Maria this year with Felicity Jones. Our hope is that making a film about our culture's fear of ageing and death will be an absolute sensation."
Louise Palmkvist Hansen, a spokesperson for EMU Films, also shared her thoughts on the exciting casting news.
She commented: "EMU is delighted to reunite with Independent Entertainment for Simon Amstell's new bittersweet comedy.
"With MARIA, Simon explores the process of growth with such vulnerability and understanding that we couldn't see anyone but Felicity Jones personifying Maria's complexities. With Jonathan Bailey and Jason Isaacs also attached, we're excited to see such a talented group of actors guided by Simon's vision of a woman's journey to accept mortality, responsibility, and ultimately herself," she concluded.
Maria is set to begin shooting in both the UK and US in autumn 2022.
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Emma is an experienced entertainment news journalist with NCTJ accreditation and a First-Class Honours Degree in Journalism. Having started her career as a broadcast journalist, Emma’s voice has been heard on varying radio stations across the UK including Absolute, Magic, BBC Three Counties Radio, LBC London News and more.
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