Oscar Isaac Joins Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara’

With few exceptions, Oscar Isaac has been enjoying a steady run of great roles over the last few years, working with directors like the Coen Brothers, J.J. Abrams and Alex Garland — all of whom quickly helped to transform the actor into one of our most beloved stars. Things are only getting better from here, as Isaac’s next project could see him teaming up with another great director.

Variety reports that Isaac is in talks to star in The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, which reunites director Steven Spielberg with Bridge of Spies and BFG star Mark Rylance and Lincoln scribe Tony Kushner. In keeping with his tendency to alternate between family-friendly fare and adult dramas, Spielberg will begin filming The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara early next year, once he wraps production on Ready Player One.

Based on David Kertzer’s novel, the story centers on a young Jewish boy in late 19th century Italy who is taken from his family, baptized in secret and raised as a Christian. A troubling battle between church and state ensues as the boy’s family desperately tries to get their son back.

It’s unclear what role Isaac would play in the new film, which stars Rylance (who also appears in Ready Player One) as Pope Pius IX. Isaac recently completed filming on Star Wars: Episode VIII, in which he reprises the role of Poe Dameron. He also stars in Annihilation, the upcoming sci-fi thriller from Ex Machina director Alex Garland, and Suburbicon, a new George Clooney film based on a script by the Coen Brothers — all of which hit theaters in 2017.