Richard E. Grant, Felicity Jones Join Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, Charli XCX in ‘100 Nights of Hero’

Saltburn star Richard E. Grant, In Camera‘s Amir El-Masry and The Brutalist‘s Felicity Jones have joined Nicholas Galitzine, Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe and Charli XCX in the ensemble cast of 100 Nights of Hero.

Principal photography in England has wrapped on Julia Jackman’s adaptation of the graphic novel feminist fairytale.

Set in an alternate world, ruled by the despotic Birdman, the film centers on a bet between two friends: Manfred wagers to Jerome he can seduce his wife, Cherry, in 100 nights. If he wins, he gets Jerome’s castle and all his riches, whilst Cherry will face execution. As Jerome leaves, Cherry finds herself trapped in a remote castle, torn between the beguiling charisma of her husband’s friend and her trust in her maid Hero, whose suspicions of Manfred grow daily.

Jackman — in her feature writing debut — adapted the screenplay from Isabel Greenberg’s beloved 2016 graphic novel The One Hundred Nights of Hero, after acquiring the rights before the pandemic. She said: “I’ve been in love with Isabel’s graphic novel since I read it in 2016 (!), and it’s been a dream to adapt it into its own weird cinematic universe. I’m excited for people to see what we’ve done with Manfred, Cherry and Hero — even if you’ve read the book, you may not know the whole story just yet.”

Completing the cast, assembled by casting director are Safia Oakley-Green (Out of Darkness), Christopher Fairbank (Lady Macbeth), Tom Stourton (All My Friends Hate Me), Jeff Mirza (Juice), Olivia D’Lima (The Killing Kind), Kerena Jagpal (3 Body Problem), Markella Kavenagh (Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Clare Perkins (Medusa Deluxe), Josh Cowdery (Wrath of Man) and Varada Sethu (Doctor Who).

100 Nights of Hero is produced by Helen Simmons and Stephanie Aspin of Erebus Pictures and Grant S. Johnson of Project Infinity. Felicity Jones’ Piecrust Pictures has also come on board as an executive producer. WME Independent is handling international sales and co-repping North American rights alongside CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group.

Johnson said: “Until 100 Nights of Hero, I hadn’t seen a project since Euphoria that so taps into what feels like the next generation of filmmakers, talent, and material… While the film appears to be a period drama, it’s not, and is modern in its sensibilities.” He added: “This is one of those rare projects that will captivate all four quadrants, and do so genuinely and earnestly. I am honored to be working alongside these creatives to make a generation-defining film, while continuing my mission of supporting female-led films.”