The Custom of the Country (film)
Film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Custom of the Country is an upcoming tragicomedy film written and directed by Josie Rourke, based on the 1913 novel by Edith Wharton.
| The Custom of the Country | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Josie Rourke |
| Screenplay by | Josie Rourke |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Ruben Impens |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | StudioCanal (United Kingdom) |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
Premise
An ambitious woman moves to New York City from the Midwest, looking to climb the city's social ladder.
Cast
Production
In October 2014, it was announced the Edith Wharton novel was being developed as a miniseries by Sony Pictures TV, with Scarlett Johansson set to star in and executive produce.[1] This iteration of the adaptation ultimately did not proceed forward, with an announcement in May 2020 that Sofia Coppola was now developing the series for Apple TV+.[2] Florence Pugh was set to star, however the project was cancelled in 2021. In a 2024 interview with The New Yorker, Coppola stated Apple TV+ cancelled the project as they found the main character too "unlikeable".[3] In 2026, she revealed that she had wanted Jennifer Lawrence for the role originally and attributed budgetary issues for the Pugh version, saying: "In my head, she's Undine. I think it required a big star and a big budget, so that iteration didn't happen."[4]
In October 2024, Josie Rourke was now set to direct the film, with the German Film- und Medienstiftung providing the production €600,000.[5] In January 2026, it was announced the adaptation was now set as a film through StudioCanal, with Sydney Sweeney set to star and produce. Rourke would state that Sweeney had been the actress she had in mind for the role of Undine while she was writing the screenplay.[6][7][8] In February, Leo Woodall joined the cast.[9] Josh Finan, Louis Garrel, Matthew Goode, Rose Leslie, Martha Plimpton, and Irène Jacob were among those added to the cast in March.[10][11]
Filming began in February 2026, with production occurring in Portugal.[12][13] Ruben Impens serves as cinematographer.[14]