Malick picks his next leading lady

Terrence Malick's shown taste for unknown female leads has lifted the careers of Sissy Spacek and Jessica Chastain, and today he's selected his next femme, who'll join the helmer's untitled project with Christian Bale. Malick is writing and pointing the project, even though no deal continues to be struck, sources tell Variety the auteur makes up his mind regarding who definitely are in next summer's scheduled shoot. Variety reported earlier Thursday that Hayley Bennett was the main one, but sources now say another candidate could close the offer. Clemence Poesy was another within the mix that, despite Malick's affinity for lesser-known female leads, incorporated Rooney Mara and Mia Wasikowska. Sarah Eco-friendly and Nicholas Gonda are creating the pic, likely to shoot next summer time. Out of the box customary using the director, story particulars haven't been revealed. Neither WME, which reps Bennett, nor the producers had discuss the casting process. Malick is presently in publish-production on his approaching untitled film starring Film Clip, looking for a 2012 release. Though that cast includes well-knowns Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz, auteur's previous projects have featured beginners like Q'orianka Kilcher ("The " New World ""), Chastain ("Tree of Existence") and Spaceck ("Badlands). Bennett's greatest profile roles were a supporting submit "Marley & Me" so that as Molly Hartley within the 2008 film "The Haunting of Molly Hartley." She's presently focusing on the pilot "Outlaw Country" for Forex. She's repped by WME and also the Schiff Company. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com