Sydney Sweeney to star in and produce Custom of the Country with Josie Rourke directing

Sydney Sweeney is taking charge of her next big project, stepping into a role that lets her shape both performance and production.

The Emmy-nominated star is set to lead Custom of the Country, while also taking on producing duties, with acclaimed director Josie Rourke behind the camera, shaping the vision.

This move signals a shift from breakout performer to creative force, as Sweeney continues to expand her influence beyond acting.

Let’s break down what this project is about, why this pairing matters, and what it could mean for Sweeney’s rapidly evolving Hollywood journey.

Sydney Sweeney Takes on the Original Dangerous Woman

The actress has landed the lead role in Custom of the Country. She will also produce the film adaptation of Edith Wharton’s 1913 classic novel. Director Josie Rourke will helm the project for Studiocanal and Rabbit’s Foot Films.

According to Deadline, production is scheduled to commence imminently. Sweeney will play Undine Spragg, a fiercely ambitious woman from the Midwest. She strives to reach the heights of society in turn-of-the-century New York. The character is armed with beauty, daring hustle, and sheer force of will to battle an entrenched elite.

Rourke expressed her excitement about the casting in a statement to the press. She said, “Sydney Sweeney lived in my head as this iconic character.” Rourke adapted the screenplay herself and will direct the feature film. The project marks a significant literary adaptation for both the director and star.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Sweeney’s career. Her recent thriller, The Housemaid, has dominated the box office. The film crossed over 200 million dollars worldwide within weeks of release. Now she’s ready to tackle another complex female character that demands both talent and fearless ambition.

From Sofia Coppola’s Vision to Sydney Sweeney’s Reality

Custom of the Country wasn’t always destined to be a Sydney Sweeney vehicle. The project originally belonged to acclaimed director Sofia Coppola. Florence Pugh was attached to star in a five-episode limited series for Apple TV Plus. However, the streaming giant pulled funding before production could begin.

Apple executives struggled with the character of Undine Spragg. They found her unlikable and didn’t understand her motivations. Coppola revealed in an interview with The New Yorker that the executives were mostly men. She compared Undine to Tony Soprano, questioning why a female antihero faced more resistance than beloved male antiheroes on television.

The planned series would have had a budget equivalent to five Marie Antoinette films. That would have put the budget at roughly 200 million dollars for five episodes. Coppola expressed frustration that Apple pulled the funding after initially greenlighting the project.

After Apple canceled the series, the rights became available again. Sweeney and her team swooped in to secure them. They reimagined the project as a feature film rather than a limited series. This pivot allowed the story to move forward with a new director and fresh perspective.

What The Housemaid’s Success Means for This Project

Sydney Sweeney arrives at Custom of the Country riding a massive wave of box office success. The Housemaid surpassed 200 million dollars globally in just four weekends. The R-rated thriller was produced on a modest 35 million dollar budget.

The success demonstrates Sweeney’s growing box office power and audience appeal. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson praised the film’s performance. The Housemaid spawned an immediate sequel announcement, with Sweeney and director Paul Feig returning.

This commercial triumph positions Sweeney as a bankable star for period pieces and literary adaptations. Studiocanal likely feels confident investing in Custom of the Country. The actress has proven she can carry a film to significant financial success.

The timing couldn’t be better for Sweeney to tackle another book adaptation. Audiences clearly responded to her work in The Housemaid. Now she can leverage that momentum into a prestigious period drama. Her track record suggests Custom of the Country could become another commercial and critical success.

Josie Rourke Brings Theater Expertise to Classic Literature

Josie Rourke brings significant credentials to Custom of the Country as both director and screenwriter. She made her feature film debut with Mary Queen of Scots in 2018. That historical drama starred Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.

Rourke’s theatrical background distinguishes her approach to filmmaking. She served as artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse in London for years. Her stage work earned numerous accolades and demonstrated her skill with complex female characters. This theatrical expertise suits Wharton’s dialogue-heavy, character-driven narrative perfectly.

The director adapted the screenplay herself rather than hiring a separate writer. This creative control ensures her vision remains consistent throughout the project. Rourke clearly has strong opinions about how to translate Wharton’s novel.

Casting director Nina Gold is building the ensemble around Sweeney’s Undine. Gold’s credits include Game of Thrones and numerous prestigious British productions. Her involvement suggests the film will feature strong supporting performances.

What Comes Next for Sydney Sweeney

Studiocanal is fully financing Custom of the Country and will distribute it theatrically across multiple territories. The studio will handle releases in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Benelux. They distributed The Housemaid in Australia and New Zealand.

Studiocanal plans to launch sales at next month’s EFM in Berlin. International buyers will get their first look at the project there. The studio’s commitment to theatrical distribution signals confidence in the film’s commercial potential.

Charles Finch of Rabbit’s Foot Films will produce alongside Sweeney. Alison Owen of Monumental Pictures joins as another producer. This production team brings substantial experience in prestige filmmaking. Their involvement elevates the project beyond a simple star vehicle into something with real artistic ambition.

Custom of the Country could position Sweeney for awards consideration. Playing Undine Spragg requires a dramatic range that could showcase abilities beyond her previous work. If the film succeeds, it might redefine how audiences and critics view Sydney Sweeney as a serious dramatic actress.

TL;DR

• Sydney Sweeney will star as Undine Spragg in Custom of the Country, based on Edith Wharton’s 1913 novel.
• Josie Rourke wrote the screenplay and will direct the film for Studiocanal and Rabbit’s Foot Films.
• The project was originally a Sofia Coppola limited series for Apple with Florence Pugh attached.
• Apple canceled the Coppola version because executives found the female protagonist too unlikable.
• Sweeney secured the rights after Apple pulled out and reimagined it as a feature film.
• The Housemaid’s 200 million dollar plus box office proves Sweeney’s commercial appeal.
• Production is scheduled to commence imminently with casting director Nina Gold building the ensemble.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.