Rooney Mara, Ben Mendelsohn to star in 'Blackbird'

NEW YORK, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Rooney Mara and Ben Mendelsohn are set to star in Blackbird.

David Harrower will adapt the film from his Olivier Award-winning play of the same name. Benedict Andrews will direct, with Jean Doumanian and Patrick Daly of Jean Doumanian Productions as producers.

Mara, 29, and Mendelsohn, 45, portray former lovers Una and Ray, who uncomfortably reunite 15 years after their affair. The relationship took place when Una was 12 and Ray 40, and the "dark, dangerous story of love and guilt" finds an angry and potentially vengeful Una confront Ray at his office.

Blackbird premiered on stage at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival, and made its West End debut in 2006. The drama won the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Play, and was subsequently produced off-Broadway.

Mara is best known for portraying Lisbeth Salander in the American film adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and has since appeared in Ain't Them Bodies Saints and Her. The actress is scheduled to star in Carol, Pan and an upcoming Terrence Malick project.

Mendelsohn is known for such roles as Andrew "Pope" Cody in Animal Kingdom and John Daggett in The Dark Knight Rises. The actor will appear in Exodus and Mississippi Grind, and is slated to star in new Netflix series Bloodline.