Penélope Cruz & Javier Bardem Reunite for Chilling New Thriller from ‘The Father’ Director

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In the upcoming psychological thriller by Florian Zeller, the acclaimed filmmaker behind “The Father” (Oscar winner) and its follow-up, “The Son,” real-life Hollywood couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz have been chosen to star.

According to Deadline’s report, the official name of the project is “Bunker,” which is being produced by Federica Sainte-Rose, Alice Dawson, and Simon de Santiago. FilmNation Entertainment plans to sell the movie at the Cannes Market. As per Deadline, “Bunker” is a thriller that explores the emotional and moral struggles of a couple as they navigate the tensions in their world, reflecting the fears, doubts, and dilemmas of our time. The film’s tagline reads:

If an architect takes on a questionable construction job, designing a doomsday shelter for a wealthy tech mogul, his wife starts to ponder the strength of their 17-year-long union.

In a recent statement about collaborating with Florian Zeller on the upcoming movie “Bunker,” Sainte-Rose expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I’m particularly thrilled about our collaboration because of the innovative path Florian is blazing as a director. This project signifies a significant change in tone—challenging and audacious, the film ‘Bunker’ addresses the stark contradictions present in today’s society. The investigation of apprehensions concerning the future, encompassing environmental concerns and increasing social disparity, makes this movie timely and pertinent.

In 2021, Zeller was awarded the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on the drama “The Father”. On the same night, Sir Anthony Hopkins received the Best Actor Award for his poignant performance in a film about dementia. Remarkably, Zeller had envisioned Bardem and Cruz as the leads when he wrote the script for “Bunker”.

Intrigued by weaving a tale about a marriage, I felt an intense urge to collaborate with a genuine couple. Immediately captivated, the concept of partnering with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, two exceptional talents gracing our screens today and one of cinema’s most renowned duos, became my goal.

I created the movie titled ‘Bunker’. This production is designed to challenge conventional storytelling and emotional authenticity, creating a captivating blend of reality and fabrication that resonates as both exciting and profoundly relatable.

‘Bunker’ Won’t Be the First Time the Couple Has Worked Together

Following their on-screen debut together in Bigas Luna’s comedy-drama “Jamón jamón” in the early 1990s, they began dating in 2007. They tied the knot in 2010, but had been collaborating professionally since their initial collaboration. After their reunion in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, they went on to work together on movies like “The Counselor”, “Loving Pablo”, and “Everybody Knows”. Among their collaborations, their most notable work was arguably in Woody Allen’s highly praised film, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”.

The 2008 romantic comedy is frequently recognized as Penélope Cruz’s standout role so far in her career. This film marked a significant turning point for the actress, earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2009. Although Javier Bardem was not nominated (having won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar the previous year for his work in No Country for Old Men), he received recognition at the Golden Globes where both Cruz and co-star Rebecca Hall were also nominated. The film itself took home the award in the category Best Film – Musical or Comedy.

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2025-05-02 20:04