"It dawned on me that I should ask Jessica about playing the 'villain' role in 'John F. Donovan,'" Dolan said. "There is this character of the editor-in-chief of a gossip magazine. The movie really is a satire of the business -- more dramatic than humorous. And there's this antagonistic figure that wants to ruin the lives of ever star, especially that of the lead character. And I reached out to Jessica and she read the script. She loved it, and we got along like hotcakes. That's basically it. I can already foresee all the pleasure we'll have working together."
To refresh your memory, they had a brief interaction on Twitter shortly after Cannes.
Jessica Chastain ✔ @jes_chastain
Completely blown away by @XDolan. His film, MOMMY was so impressive
Xavier Dolan @XDolan
@jes_chastain I've just seen this tweet because I'm dumb and blind. You're so sweet. I'm glad you liked Mommy. Will you be my beard?
Jessica Chastain @jes_chastain
@XDolan haha it'd be an honor, but you have to take me on a dinner date first
