Rooney Mara Steps Into Jessica's "Secret Scripture" Role

Rooney Mara is set to replace Jessica Chastain in the film adaptation of author Sebastian Barry's award-wining novel "The Secret Scripture" says Deadline.

 
The Ireland-centric story concerns a 100-year old Presbyterian woman who has been in a mental hosital since World War II. With the facility closing, a psychiatrist tries to piece together why the woman is there, not knowing she has been hiding a diary under the floorboards detailing her harsh treatment both during Ireland's civil war and at the hands of an abusive priest.

Mara and Vanessa Redgrave will play older and younger versions of the woman.

 Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Jeremy Irons were tipped to co-star.

Jim Sheridan replaces Thaddeus O'Sullivan ("Into the Storm" "The Heart of Me") at the helm of the picture using an adapted script from Johnny Ferguson.

Noel Pearson will produce the film.

Production begins in September.