German actress Johanna
Wokalek ("Barefoot") will replace Franke Potente as the
9th-century female pontiff in "Pope Joan."
The change is the latest in a long litany of delays, talent
changes and lawsuits that have plagued Constantin Film's
adaptation of Donna Cross' international bestseller.
Palme d'Or winner Volker Schlondorff ("The Tin Drum") was
initially attached to the project but Constantin replaced him
with director Sonke Wortmann after Schlondorff publicly
criticized the German company's plans to produce a feature film
and a two-part miniseries version of the project.
Wortmann was initially set to shoot the medieval drama last
year but production was called off after John Goodman, who had
been cast to play Pope Sergius, pulled out. Constantin filed a
$3 million breach of contract lawsuit against Goodman.
Constantin said Wednesday that they remain in talks with
Goodman and that the actor could still join the cast.
But the delay cost Constantin its star. Scheduling
conflicts forced Potente ("Run Lola Run") to pull out. It's an
open question how the change will effect the project's
bankability. While Wokalek is highly respected inside the
German industry, she lacks Potente's international cachet.
Principal photography on "Pope Joan" is now set to begin in
August, for a planned 2009 release.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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