Could Ralph Fiennes be "gunning" for an Oscar with his directorial debut?

Well, it could have potential for it, especially on the heels of The Hurt Locker. For anyone not in the know, it's a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's play Coriolanus. Well, here's some word from First Showing on the first look at the flick:

Whoa! Last year it was announced that actor Ralph Fiennes would be making his debut as a director on a contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Coriolanus. At the time, we didn't actually know how contemporary it would be, but thanks to these first photos from the set in Serbia, it looks like Fiennes has actually set his film around the Iraq war. Action blog 30 Ninjas has the scoop on the photos, which come from the first week's battle scenes in the Serbian city of Pancevo. Fiennes is also starring in this as the lead along with Gerard Butler, Brian Cox, William Hurt, Eddie Marsan, Jessica Chastain & Vanessa Redgrave.

Obviously comparisons are already being made to The Hurt Locker, especially because that took home the Best Picture Oscar earlier this year, and an Iraq war movie combined with Shakespeare instantly sounds like more Oscar bait. The story in Coriolanus follows Roman military leader Caius Martius, who returns home from a war against the Volscans as a war hero with a new last name, Coriolanus, given for the city which he conquered. However, he is banished from Rome as a traitor. Coriolanus then allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city of Rome. I'm not sure how that will fit into the Iraq war, but I'm already excited.

-Sounds very interesting (and more images from the film can be found here)...thoughts?

Are Carey Mulligan and Saoirse Ronan joining Geoffrey Fletcher's directorial debut?

It appears so, according to this story from The Film Stage:

Geoffrey Fletcher, Oscar winner for penning Precious, is set to make his directorial debut this summer with the black-comedy Violet And Daisy. Saoirse Ronan and Carey Mulligan, who will make a stunning and talented combination, are attached to the lead roles.

Although there are very few details available as yet, the script, also by Fletcher, is being described as “Thelma and Louise” meets “Superbad” and “Pulp Fiction” with “plenty of action and lots of girl power.” (The Playlist) While a description like that would normally equate to a cringe-worthy two hours in the making, the thought of Ronan and Mulligan as a powerful female duo is entertaining to say the least. Fletcher’s scripting abilities are also another positive element to consider.

A filming schedule doesn’t seem to be set, but according to Showbiz 411 Violet and Daisy could start pre-production sometime this summer:

-Thoughts?