Oscar-winner Brie Larson (Room) is set to make her directorial debut with the indie comedy Unicorn Store, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Larson will also produce and star in the film centering on a young woman who, after moving back in with her parents, receives a mysterious invitation to a store where her ideas of growing up are challenged. Samantha McIntyre wrote the script based on an original concept.
Entities at the District, Rhea Films, and Hercules Film Fund are all producing and financing the indie flick. With funds ready to go, the project is looking to start production in October. David Bernard and Ruben Fleischer at The District originally had another director in place with Rebel Wilson in talks to star, however, the timing and negotiations never reached fruition. The project was finally brought to Larson prior to her winning her Academy Award earlier this year.
This won’t be Larson’s first exposure behind the camera as she also co-wrote and co-directed the short film The Arm that won Sundance’s jury prize in 2012. Ever since her emergence into prestige film territory, Larson has been on the top radar of filmmakers and producers alike, so it is no surprise that she is making large and swift moves right out the gate. Coming up, she has the blockbuster monster flick Kong: Skull Island to be released and Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire, as well as the memoir adaptation The Glass Castle which reunites her with her Short Term 12 director Daniel Destin Cretton. Most notably, Larson will soon don her own Marvel superhero persona when she suits up for Wonder Woman.