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Richard Gere just stepped into a forbidden romance with rising star Diana Silvers. The two are teaming up for Asymmetry, a romantic drama premiering at Cannes next month (May 12-23). Oscar-winning director Edward Zwick is bringing the acclaimed novel to life.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Based On: Lisa Halliday’s acclaimed 2018 novel, called “a literary phenomenon” by The New Yorker
- Plot: Editorial assistant Alice meets celebrated author Ezra in Central Park, sparking a secret romance that changes everything
- Cast: Richard Gere (Ezra, 70) and Diana Silvers (Alice), with Silvers known for Booksmart and Space Force
- Launch: FilmNation Entertainment presents film at Cannes Market next month with international sales underway
An Oscar Winner Returns After 8 Years Away
Edward Zwick is making his directing comeback with Asymmetry. The acclaimed filmmaker, known for Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai, and Legends of the Fall, hasn’t directed a feature film since 2018. Zwick also produced the Oscar-winning best picture Shakespeare in Love. His partnership with Marshall Herskovitz at Bedford Falls Company continues through this project.
Zwick’s excitement is palpable about the source material. According to his statement, he was drawn to the story because it explores love in unexpected places. The film marks a return to intimate character drama after years working on broader projects.
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Richard Gere and Diana Silvers Create a Central Park Love Story
Richard Gere plays Ezra, a world-renowned 70-year-old novelist, while Diana Silvers portrays Alice, a young editorial assistant in New York. Their chance encounter in Central Park sparks something neither expected. Ezra, famous for bold artistic work, discovers vulnerability with Alice, while she finds courage to pursue her own writing dreams.
The unconventional romance challenges conventional wisdom about age, power, and connection. As their secret relationship deepens, the story takes a dramatic turn when their private world becomes public, putting everything at risk.
Film Development and Cannes Market Details
| Detail | Information |
| Release Strategy | FilmNation Entertainment launching international sales at Cannes Market May 12-23 |
| Domestic Rights | CAA Media Finance Group co-representing with FilmNation |
| Production Company | Bedford Falls Company (Zwick and Herskovitz) |
| Finance Partners | FilmNation Entertainment and Rainmaker Films co-financing |
“Like so many others I was charmed by Lisa’s book, not just because it’s emotional, insightful, and very funny, but because it’s about two people who discover that what the world calls asymmetry can in fact have another name: love.”
— Edward Zwick, Director
Why This Novel Became Required Reading in Hollywood
Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry dominated literary circles when published in 2018. The New Yorker called it “a literary phenomenon” while the New York Times included it among “15 remarkable books by women shaping fiction in the 21st century.” Even Barack Obama named it one of his best books from 2018.
Halliday worked directly with Zwick and Herskovitz on the screenplay adaptation, bringing her original vision to the screen. The collaboration between novelist and filmmakers ensures the story’s emotional core translates authentically to film audiences.
Will This Generation-Gap Romance Find Its Audience at Cannes?
The unconventional pairing of Richard Gere and Diana Silvers reflects the novel’s controversial central relationship. Audiences will debate whether the age-gap romance represents timeless love or troubling power dynamics. FilmNation’s confidence in launching at Cannes Market suggests industry insiders believe the film tackles these themes with sophisticated nuance.
Diana Silvers, just 28 years old, brings indie credibility from her roles in Booksmart and Space Force streaming series. Her casting alongside Gere creates exactly the generational contrast the story demands. With Zwick’s Oscar-caliber direction and a beloved source novel, Asymmetry arrives ready to create serious conversation.
Sources
- Deadline – Exclusive details on Richard Gere and Diana Silvers’ casting, production timeline, and Cannes launch strategy
- FilmNation Entertainment – Official statement on international sales and Cannes Market presentation plans
- IMDb and Wikipedia – Verified filmography of Edward Zwick, Diana Silvers, and production details
