Neil Jordan will direct Colin Farrell and Scarlett Johansson in a project the director’s been trying to get off the ground for several years: A historical drama called "Borgia," which will focus on the infamous 15th century Roman clan.
According to Variety, "Jordan has written a script filled with betrayal, backstabbing and murder, within a family that aspired to be the most powerful clan of the Renaissance.
In 1492, the Pope dies and Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia emerges as the top contender to head the Vatican, despite a litter of illegitimate children. When he gets the papal throne, Rodrigo moves to consolidate his power thereby empowering and alienating various members of his family.
Johansson will play Rodrigo’s daughter Lucrezia Borgia, who’s torn between her family duties and a desire to find true love. Farrell will play Rodrigo’s youngest sun Cesare, a duplicitous and manipulative sibling who considers himself his sister’s closest confidante.
Production will begin in April.
Project has been a passion of Jordan’s for years. He nearly had the film ready to go in 2002 with Ewan McGregor and Christina Ricci, but the collapse of the Neuer Markt that enabled such international productions left his film short of cash and he moved on. Jordan’s film has regained steam, thanks to the combination of Johansson and Farrell."
