Brit Marling Replaces Olivia Wilde In Daniel Barber's Civil War Thriller

Brit Marling has been having a pretty good day. First the new trailer for her upcoming thriller The East arrived online, in preparation for its May 31st release date, and now there's news that she has landed a brand new role alongside one of the most talented up-and-coming actresses in Hollywood.

The Wrap has learned that the indie star, who has made quite the impression on the Sundance crowd over the last few years, has signed on to join True Grit's Hailee Steinfeld in director Daniel Barber's newest film, formerly known as The Keeping Room. According to the site, the role Marling will play originally belonged to Olivia Wilde, however, the Tron Legacy actress was forced to drop out for unspecified reasons.

Based on a script written by Julia Hart that was featured on the 2012 Black List (the annual list of the most popular unproduced screenplays in Hollywood), the story is a period piece set in the American south during Civil War. The plot centers on three women - two sisters and a slave - who are forced to defend their home against a group of Union soldiers who have broken off from their platoon. The film will be the first that Barber has directed since making his debut with the 2009 Michael Caine drama Harry Brown.

In addition to The East, Marling will soon be seen in the Abraham Lincoln drama The Green Blade Rises, as well as Lulu Wang's comedy Posthumous. Neither film has a confirmed release date as of yet.

Eric Eisenberg
Assistant Managing Editor

NJ native who calls LA home and lives in a Dreamatorium. A decade-plus CinemaBlend veteran who is endlessly enthusiastic about the career he’s dreamt of since seventh grade.