Susan Sarandon in talks to star in BIG VALLEY adaptation
Susan Sarandon is looking to star in the next big television-to-film adaptation, but this is one that might not sound too familiar to us youngins. “The Big Valley” was a television Western that ran from 1965 to 1969 on ABC. It starred the legendary Barbara Stanwyck as Victoria Barkley, the matriarch of her ranching family. The series took place in the 1870s in San Joaquin Valley (the bread basket of California!).
Sarandon would star in the role Stanwyck made famous. Victoria was a headstrong widow that led her family of adult kids (which were originally played by such stars as Linda Evans and Lee Majors), while also holding down their “big” ranch, guarding it from all manner of Western-styled baddies (horse thieves! Claim jumpers!). It seems like a good fit for Sarandon, who always manages to charm me, even when she’s acting tough-as-nails.
The feature film is being produced by Kate Edelman Johnson, whose father, Louis F. Edelman, helped create the original series (along with writer A.I. Bezzerides). Johnson’s producing partner, Daniel Adams, has already penned the screenplay and is set to direct the adaptation.
The BIG VALLEY team is looking to start filming in May in Michigan and New Mexico. With such a close start date, look for more casting announcements for the rest of the Barkley clan coming up soon!
Source The Hollywood Reporter
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