Chris Pine Lands First Italian-Speaking Role in "The Kidnapping of Arabella"

Chris Pine has recently joined the cast of the feature film “The Kidnapping of Arabella” (“Il rapimento di Arabella”) in an Italian-speaking role.

Written and directed by emerging Italian director Carolina Cavalli as a follow-up to her feature debut “Amanda,” the pic, described as a “dramedy,” tells the story of a young woman convinced she is the wrong version of herself.

Bendetta Porcaroli, who appeared in “Amanda,” is once again teaming up with Cavalli, this time to play Holly, a young misfit uncomfortable in her body. Convinced she is “the wrong version of herself,” a chance encounter with a 7-year-old gets Holly to change her mind.

Principal photography is set to start this week in Northern Italy.

Pine, who also speaks Spanish, previously told Spanish magazine Vanidades he is learning Italian and sometimes confuses words between the two languages.

Earlier this month, “The Kidnapping of Arabella” was reported to be in the works following the success of “Amanda,” an absurdist arrested development comedy that went to Venice and Toronto two years ago.

“I think lonely people who come together to solve a problem have already solved the biggest one, and this is what makes me happy about this story,” Cavalli said three weeks ago. “I can’t wait to start, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

“Carolina’s second film is perfectly aligned with my vision for The Apartment going forward," the Apartment CEO Annamaria Morelli added."On the one hand, I will continue along the same lines the company is known for, meaning high-end productions involving top Italian talents such as Paolo Sorrentino, Luca Guadagnino etc and also big international co-productions and prime international IP.”

“The Kidnapping of Arabella” is produced by Elsinore Film and The Apartment, a Fremantle company. 

Producers are Antonio Celsi for Elsinore and Annamaria Morelli for The Apartment.