According to Variety, Said Ben Said’s Paris-based production-sales outfit SBS Prods. has closed key pre-sales on Brian De Palma’s thriller “Passion,” starring Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace. Ascot Elite has acquired theatrical and DVD/VOD rights for Germany and Switzerland; Lumiere has taken Benelux while ARP will release “Passion” in France in early 2013, said Ben Said. An English-language remake of Alain Corneau’s 2010 psychodrama “Love Crime,” which Ben Said also produced, about a battle to the death between a top corporate exec and her protege, “Passion” has just added German actress Karoline Herfurth (“The Reader”) to the cast. Herfurth plays the assistant to Rapace’s deputy, McAdams the CEO. Screenplay is by De Palma, with additional dialogue by novelist Natalie Carter. Co-produced by Alfred Huermer’s Integral Film in Germany, “Passion” begins lensing in Berlin on March 5 for 10 weeks. So, despite my previous prediction, Noomi takes on the part which was played by Ludivine Sagnier in the original French film – this is going to be a challenge!

According to the DPA (Deutsche Presse Agentur), Brian DePalma’s next project, “Passion”, will start filming this March in Berlin. As previously reported, “Passion” is a remake of the French thriller “Crime d’amour” and will star Noomi Rapace, Rachel McAdams and newly-added German actress Karoline Herfurth. While Herfurth will most probably reprise the leading role that was originally played by Ludivine Sagnier, the big question is who will be playing her boss – Rapace or McAdams? Thanks to Alex for the heads-up!