While speaking with Numero (via translation from Bloody Disgusting), Adjani called Qualley "incredibly talented" and pointed out the resemblance between the Poor Things star and herself after they had met at a dinner party several years ago.
“When I met Margaret at a dinner party a few years ago, she told me she looked more like me than her mother, so it seems this family resemblance influenced the director’s choice of actress for the role in Possession. Besides, she’s incredibly talented!"
She went on to shower praise on the original movie, and how she felt the modern cinematic climate was perfect for the remake of a movie like Possession.
"And yes, Possession, a film that dares to be mystical and horrific, and this talismanic role, has achieved cult status. Today, the new cinematic extremism that has become trendy has led to remakes of films like Possession, with a certain enlightened opportunism. Why not?"
Possession's twisted, manic, and disturbing storyline certainly doesn't make it an easy watch. However, the success of recent off-beat horror movies like Obsession and Backrooms has opened the door to more wonderfully unique and unhinged horror, which supports Adjani's belief that a Possession remake could prove to be a success.
In addition to physically resembling Adjani, Qualley is a fine choice for the powerhouse of a character that Anna is, and her impressive range should help her to dig deep and put her own mark on a layered and complex character. While she will be hard-pressed to match the intensity of her iconic performance, she has the talents to excel in the role.
Qualley shot to fame with a role in the acclaimed science fiction series The Leftovers and went on to appear in movies like Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for the lead role in Netflix miniseries The Maid, showing her abilities to anchor a strong and ambitious project.
She is also no stranger to the genre, having delivered another Golden Globe-nominated performance in the Oscar-winning body horror The Substance, giving her a wealth of experience working with unconventional horror characters. Possession has a strong team in front of and behind the camera, and this could result in another successful remake.
Possession has been in development since 2024, when it was first revealed that The Batman actor Robert Pattinson would produce the remake alongside Finn. At one point, it was believed that the actor would be starring in the movie, but in a shocking twist, Vanity Fair revealed that Qualley and Turner would co-lead as Anna and Mark.
While there has yet to be any progress with production, the horror remake did fuel a bidding war between multiple studios like Netflix and Warner Bros., but Paramount ended up securing the deal. Meanwhile, Finn previously stated that he was excited about the "bonkers movies" and emphasized that "it was really important to me was that we were honoring the original and staying true to its absolute frenzied, manic ferocity."
As of writing, the studio had yet to announce any release window for the Possession remake.
Release Date
May 25, 1981
Runtime
124 Minutes
Director
Andrzej Zulawski
Writers
Andrzej Zulawski
English (US) ·