Keira Knightley's Latest Film Screams Oscar-Worthy

The 2016 Academy Awards haven't even aired yet, but that isn't stopping my mind from reeling about who the top contenders might be on the 2017 Oscars red carpet. And, with Keira Knightley to star in biopic Colette, it's hard to ignore the obvious signs of an award season success. Why? Well, with Knightley's two previous Oscar nominations under her belt (The Imitation Game and Pride & Prejudice), and a film based on an incredible story in women's history, this might be just the role Knightley fans have been waiting for.

So, who exactly is Colette? The French novelist that Keira Knightley will be portraying is a survivor of both World Wars (including when the Nazis invaded Paris), a 1948 Nobel Prize winner, and writer of the 1944 hit novel-turned-film, Gigi. And, if that doesn't make her story worth watching just yet, Colette is also said to have "co-wrote" her famous works alongside Jewish husband, Willy Gauthier-Villars, before breaking free from her marriage and finding her independence. Variety magazine described Colette's complex and heart-wrenching marriage as an overall story of "love, perversity, nurture, violence, passion and ultimately betrayal; and it did so in the public eye." In other words, Colette is one kick-ass woman in history, and just the kind of strong female character I can not wait to see on the big-screen.

However, aside from the storyline and Keira Knightley herself, the star-studded crew behind the biopic is also putting Colette at the forefront of next award season. Heading up production is Number 9 Films (Elizabeth Karlsen) and Killer Films (Christine Vachon), coming together again after their already released film, Carol — currently nominated for six Academy Awards — along with the help of Bold Films chairman, Michel Livak. And that's not even the last of it. Colette will also be directed by Wash Westmoreland — the director of 2014's Best Actress-winning film, Still Alice — and will feature a screenplay co-written by the late Still Alice writer, Richard Glatzer. This overall production team tells us one thing: Colette has — at least — another Best Actress nomination possibility on its hands.

“Keira is impeccably suited to step into the role of the iconic Colette in the early 1900s, who pushed the envelope in a time when women writers were shunned and bisexuality was scandalous," shared Bold Film's Livak, "We are honored to bring her story to the big screen." No pressure. Colette will begin filming this May in Budapest, and a release date for the film has not yet been released. However, my sights are set on a December 2016 or January 2017 release date — just in time for award season. And, Knightley... I've got my eyes on you.