Todd Haynes plans film of Genet's "The Maids" and hopes for Cate Blanchett

Todd Haynes, the director of "Carol", is planning his next film: an adaptation of Jean Genet's play "Les Bonnes", known in English as "The Maids". He announced it in an interview with the French magazine Le Point, as reported by the Polish site Filmweb on 24 October 2026.

Haynes hopes for Blanchett

Haynes said his next film after "De Noche" will be this adaptation. He did not reveal details, but insisted he has a very particular approach to the story. He added that, in his view, nobody has approached it this way before.

The director also said: "I think Cate Blanchett will star in my film." For now, that is the director's hope rather than confirmed casting. It is not known which part the actress might play. There is also no information on whether Isabelle Huppert will appear.

Blanchett knows the material from the stage. In 2013 she played Claire in a Sydney Theatre Company production directed by Benedict Andrews, with Isabelle Huppert as Solange. If the collaboration goes ahead, it will be the third project for Blanchett and Haynes, after "I'm Not There" and "Carol".

What the play is about

Genet's play premiered in 1947. It follows sisters Claire and Solange, who work for a wealthy woman known as Madame. When their employer is away, the sisters act out scenes of her humiliation and even murder.

The author drew inspiration from, among other things, the notorious 1933 case of the Papin sisters. Two French maids killed their employer and her daughter. Genet used it to build a story about social inequality, violence and identity shaped by playing roles.

"De Noche" still awaits release

First, Haynes must bring "De Noche" to cinemas. It is set in the 1930s and described as a gay film noir. In 2024 Joaquin Phoenix unexpectedly left the project five days before filming was due to begin. Pedro Pascal took the lead role of the detective, and Danny Ramirez plays his younger lover.

Filming wrapped in Mexico in April 2026. No official release date has been announced. Filmweb reports speculation that the film could premiere at the Cannes festival, but that is only speculation.

The adaptation of "The Maids" is at a very early stage. No filming dates, release date or confirmed cast have been announced.