Amy Adams In Talks To Star Opposite Jenna Ortega In 3000 Pictures Adaptation Of ‘Klara and the Sun’

EXCLUSIVE: Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams is in negotiations to costar alongside Jenna Ortega in Sony’s 3000 Pictures’ Klara and the Sun, which Taika Waititi is set to direct. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s New York Times best-selling novel, the film is being produced by Heyday Films’ David Heyman, Garrett Basch and Waititi. Ishiguro is an EP.

Heyday’s Jeffrey Clifford and Rosie Alison brought in the project to Heyday. Drew Reed was instrumental in bringing the project to 3000 Pictures and Sony. Elizabeth Gabler and Aislinn Dunster are overseeing the project for 3000 Pictures.

Klara and the Sun tells the story of Klara (Ortega), an Artificial Friend designed to prevent loneliness. Klara is purchased by a mother (Adams) and a bright teen named Josie who adores her new robot companion, but suffers from a mysterious illness. This is the story of Klara’s quest to save Josie and those who love her from heartbreak and how in the process Klara learns the power of human love.

The novel, published in March 2021 by Alfred A. Knopf in the US and Faber in the UK, debuted on the New York Times’ Best Sellers Hardcover Fiction List at #3 and the Indie Best Sellers Hardcover Fiction List at #1.

After landing the highly coveted Waititi’s commitment right before the WGA strike last spring, 3000 Pictures made this a priority once both strikes had been resolved, execs aimed high for two stars for the Klara and mother role and once a deal closes for Adams, production is expected to start in the coming weeks. As for Adams, the project gives the six-time Oscar-nominated star another role that will attract plenty of awards attention given Ishiguro adaptations like Remains of the Day have always garnered awards attention in the past.

Adams will next be seen starring in Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch for Searchlight releasing in fall 2024. The film is based on Rachel Yoder’s debut novel of the same name. Adams produced the film through her production banner Bond Group Entertainment.

Ortega plays the iconic role of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday with director Tim Burton at the helm, which is set to go into production on season 2 this year.

Adams is repped by Linden Entertainment, WME, attorney Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern and Narrative. Ortega is repped by CAA, Viewpoint, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.