Lena Heady of "Game of Thrones" Joins Cast of Clive Barker's "Jacqueline Ess"

Courtesy Getty Images/Jason Merritt

"Game of Thrones" actress Lena Heady will be briefly hanging up her crown and stepping into the world of horror in the upcoming film "Jacqueline Ess." The story is based off of a short story by master of the macabre, Clive Barker. According to Variety, Raven Banner Entertainment and Seraphim Films are producing the feature, which will be going into production later this year after being sold at the Cannes Film Festival.

In addition to co-writing the script with Christian Francis, Jovanka Vuckovic is on board to direct, which will be her first time directing a feature length film. She will also serve as co-producer along with the films star, Lena Heady. Clive Barker and Seraphim's Mark Miller and Ben Meares will serve as executive producers.

"Jacqueline Ess" originally appeared in horror anthology, Books of Blood Volume 2, and is about "a beautiful woman with the ability to horrifically change people’s body shapes simply with her mind. Her ability gives her the power to grant men the ultimate sexual experience, albeit one that always proves fatal. It’s a story of sex, power, and the extremes that await us at the limits of desire."

Clive Barker expressed his excitement on the development earlier by saying “Lena Headey is a marvelous performer with an incredible presence,[...] As far as I’m concerned, there is no better choice of actress for the role of Jacqueline. Her beauty and authority will carry the day.”

-Nowal Massari

Raven Banner to Bring Clive Barker's 'Jacqueline Ess' to the Big Screen

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Canada's Raven Banner Entertainment has just announced that they have optioned "Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament," a short story from master of the macabre, Clive Barker.

The story, originally appearing in horror anthology, Books of Blood Volume 2, is about "a beautiful woman with the ability to horrifically change people’s body shapes simply with her mind. Her ability gives her the power to grant men the ultimate sexual experience, albeit one that always proves fatal. It’s a story of sex, power, and the extremes that await us at the limits of desire."

Managing partner of Raven Banner, Andrew Hunt, released a statement on Wednesday stating, "All of us at Raven Banner have been huge fans of Clive’s for years[...]And I personally have always loved the story of Jacqueline Ess. It has all the qualities one wants in a modern horror film, so I’m excited to see it finally being brought to life on film."

Barker's own Seraphim Films will be executive producing the project, with Seraphim VP Mark Miller sharing his excitement and saying “We love what Raven Banner is doing for horror,[...]We are excited to be collaborating with them.”

The deal was negotiated by Noor Ahmed of Reder & Feig LLP on behalf of Seraphim and Raven Banner associates Andrew Hunt, James Fler and Michael Paszt. The film has a projected budget of $3 million, and while there is currently no word on who will be penning the script, it is in development. The movie will be shopped in Berlin at the European Film Market, with Raven Banner tentatively planning production to begin in the fall of 2014.

-Nowal Massari