Leanne Shapton's Important Artifacts, Coming to a Theater Near You

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Remember last month when we told you about Important Artifacts, a modern-day romance about a pair of New York creative types that’s told through an auction catalog of seemingly insignificant (but totally covet-worthy) objects? y

Well, now it’s becoming a film. And you’ll never guess which two Hollywood stars are playing the tumultuous couple. (Hint: They’ve never been on screen together.)

Per the official press release:

“Paramount Pictures has attached Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman to star in a film based on the new Leanne Shapton book ‘Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry.’ The book was just published by Sarah Crichton Books / Farrar Straus & Giroux.

Laid out as an auction catalog, Important Artifacts… tells the story of the romance — and the dissolution of that romance — between the title characters through the notes, books, and gifts that have accumulated throughout their relationship. In catalog photographs and lot descriptions, Shapton explores the nature of possessions and their provenance, as well as the significance of what is kept and what is thrown away at the end of any relationship.”

Nuts! While Brad isn’t exactly who we’d have cast as Harold (he’s just too pretty), we’re sure having him attached to the project is happy news for Leanne. Natalie, on the other hand, is perfect — Lenore’s a total manic pixie dream girl.

It will be interesting to see how a story told through objects (there’s very little text — just the “descriptions” of items up for auction) translates onto the big screen. Maybe it will be easier than having to stick to a strict narrative?

Either way, we’re really excited. How’s about you?

Related post: Exclusive: Leanne Shapton’s Catalog of Very Romantic Stuff