Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard casts real-life siblings Kate and Rooney Mara as Jean and Joan Holbrooke, twins so intertwined they tunnel through an Irish mountain range seeking the legendary Orkneys. HanWay Films released a first-look image showing the Maras in matching outfits, speaking in unison to underscore their bond.
Orlando Bloom plays Gareth Mulroney, the sisters’ unruly former lover, while Domhnall Gleeson appears as Timothy, a government-assigned social worker charged with helping the twins adjust to modern city life after their tabloid rise. Herzog wrote and directed the feature, contrasting contemporary urban scenes with Ireland’s rugged landscapes to capture the Holbrookes’ shared speech patterns and mirrored ambitions.
Producers Clara Wu Tsai, Ariel Leon Isacovitch and Agnes Chu lead a team that includes Kieran Corrigan, Emanuele Moretti and Andrea Bucko. HanWay Films will present footage from shoots in Dublin, Sligo and Slovenia at the Cannes market.
Kate Mara told IndieWire Herzog’s invitation—delivered in a handwritten letter—felt “too good to be true,” since she and Rooney had long wanted to work together. “His vision is precise, wild and honest,” she said. Rooney Mara praised Herzog for drawing out each sister’s distinct energy while honouring their deep connection.
