Annette (2018)

project brings together rock band Sparks, which is composing original songs, with music producer Marius de Vries (“La La Land”).

It is Cotillard’s most directly singer-orientated role since her performance as Edith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose.”

She first met Carax to talk about the project three years ago, but was unavailable for the role because she was then expecting her second child.

The project then went into stand-by, after being linked to Rihanna, Rooney Mara and Michelle Williams, but was revived early this year.

Cotillard said she embraced the role after she was contacted by Gillibert. “I read the script and I was impressed not only by its singularity, but above all its profound depth, which is difficult to describe. I was attracted by Carax’s poetic genius and his wild imagination. And my co-star, Adam Driver, is exceptional. I love to sing, which was another key factor, but I’m not at all an opera singer and wondered whether I would be up to this challenge. But the unknown always appeals to me.”