Madonna is said to be following up her directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom, with a new film, W.E. which—to this monarchical history fiend—is a pleasure to hear.
W.E. follows England’s Edward VIII, the twentieth-century king who abdicated the throne to marry American Wallis Simpson (it bears mentioning that it being the 1930s, that Simpson was twice divorced and therefore, even forgetting her nationality, not politically a good candidate for queen). The move was constitutionally controversial at the time, of course, but should nonetheless provide Madonna with a fairly romantic subject— Edward himself is quoted as saying:
I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.
Happy belated Valentine’s Day, everyone. No word yet on who will play Edward, but according to Variety, Vera Farmiga (of Oscar-nominated Up in the Air) is in talks to play Simpson.