Zoe Saldana to star as an aspiring Olympian in upcoming drama Fencer produced by Casey Affleck

Zoe Saldana is partnering with Casey Affleck again for an upcoming drama.

The 41-year-old star will headline Fencer, about an aspiring Olympic fencer based on the real life experiences of athlete and filmmaker Jasmine McGlade, according to Deadline on Thursday. 

Affleck is slated to produce and McGlade will write and direct the movie. 

Saldana will play main character Mae who is an ‘ambitious female athlete facing personal demons and childhood rivals as she vies for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team,’ Deadline reported.

The plot was inspired by McGlade’s time as a champion fencer during which she earned Harvard’s first NCAA Championship title in the sport. 

‘As a writer and filmmaker I seek to tell brazen, character-driven stories about people who are flawed, and thus real. Especially women,’ McClade said.

‘Characters who are their own worst enemies and yet incredibly resilient. Fencer is a celebration of perseverance and sacrifice, while also a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting one’s sense of worth and security solely through achievement and external validation.’

Oscar winner Casey Affleck added that he felt grateful to be a part of the exciting new project. 

‘We feel so lucky to be a part of Fencer, which is an unflinchingly honest look at an ambitious, complex woman whose relationships and motivations defy simple categorization,’ he said.

‘The powerful script forces us to ask ourselves some of life’s most fundamental questions: “What defines you? Is it your work, reputation, relationships? What matters most to you and what will you do to protect that?”‘

Adding: ‘We immediately fell in love with Jasmine’s unique story and perspective, and since partnering have been blown away by her intelligence, creativity, and tireless work ethic.’  

Casey and Zoe previously co-starred alongside each other in the 2013 thrilled Out of the Furnace with Christian Bale.

Jasmine McGlade, who will helm the project, served as an executive producer of 2011’s La La Land and was married to the film’s director Damien Chazelle at the time.

According to McGlade: ‘Fencer will provide one of the screen’s first realistic glimpses into the thrilling world of fencing, much more demanding and diverse than stereotypes may suggest, and an intimate and intense look into the minds and lives of female athletes. 

‘It is a dream come true to get to work with Zoe on Fencer, and to marry my two greatest passions: filmmaking and fencing.’