What do we know about Ari Aster’s “Eddington”? Not much, really. However, the script has leaked to a lucky few, and I managed to get some details about the plot of this mysterious movie, which is said to take place during the pandemic.
PLOT — “Eddington” is about a couple (Lindsay and Marc) driving through New Mexico, on their way to Los Angeles, who run out of gas just outside of small town Eddington, New Mexico. Lindsay and Marc decide to enter the town for help. They are, at first, greeted very warmly, but, as nightfall comes, the picturesque setting soon turns into a nightmare.
We also know that, according to Daniel Richtman, prior to the strike, Pedro Pascal got an offer to co-star with Joaquin Phoenix — neither of them play the couple. This is said to very much be an ensemble film, so we’ll be getting lots of casting announcements once the strike ends.
Aster and Phoenix were recently seen in New Mexico doing some location scouting for this upcoming film, dubbed as a “Western comedy”. At least that’s what Phoenix and Aster told the locals in Estancia, New Mexico. They also mentioned the story involving a Sherriff and a Mayor.
Back in April, Ari Aster’s go-to cinematographer, Pawel Pogorzelski briefly mentioned that “Eddington” would be shooting in late summer. I’m thinking that now, due to the actors strike, we’re looking at a 2024 production start.
Aster had originally spoken about “Eddington” during an AMA on Reddit. It seems as though he’s been working on this one for a while:
“There was a period of time when I thought “Midsommar” would be the debut feature, and there was a period when I thought another script called “Eddington” might be the first movie. For like five years, I was trying to get that Western-noir dark ensemble comedy going. That won’t be the next one, by the way, though I do still want to make it very badly. I made Hereditary first, but I always had “Midsommar” in my back pocket, like it was right there in me.”
Aster is coming off the polarizing “Beau is Afraid,” he’s also the twisted mind behind “Hereditary” and “Midsommar.” He’s built up quite the fanbase with these three films. I would assume A24, who have backed him since his debut, will be taking care of “Eddington.”