Baz Luhrmann Casts ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ Actress For His Joan Of Arc Epic

Baz Luhrmann has found his Joan of Arc, as Deadline reports that he is in early discussions with Isla Johnston to play the female heroine.

Joan of Arc will be the main focus of Luhrmann’s epic Jehanne d’Arc. Joan of Arc was a patron saint of France in the 15th century. She was “burned at the stake in the 1400s after leading the troops in the Siege of Orleans and pressing for the coronation of Charles VII as the French king during the Hundred Years’ War.” Luhrmann has been preparing the feature; he co-wrote the script with playwright Ava Pickett. She, in turn, recently presented at the first reading of the script for Warner Bros.’ production, publicity, and marketing teams. This read-through was done at the Chateau Marmont, the same room where “the first draft of Rebel Without a Cause was read aloud for Warner Bros brass back in the day.” Luhrmann’s design partner Catherine Martin presented with Pickett, showing a visual presentation alongside the reading.

Johnston is known for her role as a young Beth Harmon in the 2020 hit Netflix miniseries The Queen’s Gambit. She also appeared in the Apple TV series’ Invasion in 2021. It will be interesting to see what she does with such a complex role.