Before she suits up as Captain Marvel,Brie Larsonwill be getting behind the camera. The actress is using the clout that comes with an Oscar win wisely, asTHRreports that Larson is set to make her directorial debut with the independent comedyUnicorn Store. Larson will also produce and star in the film, which is based on an original screenplay bySamantha McIntyreand revolves around a woman who moves back in with her parents and suddenly receives an invitation to a store that will “test her ideas of what it really means to grow up.”
The project has been shepherded by producersDavid BernadandRuben Fleischervia their banner The District, and was at one point set up as a starring vehicle forRebel WilsonwithThe Good GirlhelmerMiguel Artetadirecting. Bernad and Fleischer brought the project to Larson before she won the Best Actress Oscar for her stunning turn inRoom, and now with funding secured,Unicorn Storeis moving full-speed ahead with an October production start-date eyed.
Larson previously co-wrote and co-directed the Sundance award-winning short filmThe Armso she’s been behind the camera before, just not on a feature film. The versatile actress first broke out on the TV seriesUnited States of Tarabefore turning in swell work in films likeScott Pilgrim vs. The World,21 Jump Street, and most impressively the indie dramaShort Term 12, but it was last year’sRoomwhere Larson finally broke out into the mainstream.
AfterRoom, Larson went off and shot the Warner Bros. blockbusterKong: Skull Island, then most recently reteamed with herShort Term 12directorDestin Daniel Crettonon the indie dramaThe Glass Castle. Just a couple of weeks agoit was announced that Larsonwill lead Marvel Studios’ first female-led superhero movieCaptain Marvel, and now she’s diving back into the indie world withUnicorn Store.
Clearly the actress has no intention of sticking to one lane, and is instead admirably keen on mixing it up between major blockbuster fare and smaller, more intimate character dramas. It’s a delightfully diverse path, and one that’s been a long time coming for this talented performer.
