Possession star Isabelle Adjani has shared her thoughts on Margaret Qualley’s casting in the upcoming remake of Andrzej Żuławski’s cult classic.

Speaking with Numéro at the Cannes Film Festival, the French actress and singer suggested that her resemblance to TheSubstance star may have inspired the casting. “When I met Margaret at a dinner a few years ago, she told me that she looked more like me than her mother, so it would seem this family resemblance determined the director’s choice for this character in Possession. Also, she is incredibly talented!”

Adjani also commented that the remake is the result of an “intelligent opportunism” capitalising on a pervasive Hollywood trend. Reflecting on the upcoming film, she concluded, “Why not?”

A psychological thriller set in Cold War-era Berlin, Possession follows a brutal divorce between a young couple (Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill). While divisive upon its release in 1981, the film has accrued a significant cult following over the years. Adjani’s performance in particular has since garnered acclaim and been recognised as one of the best in the genre.

Parker Finn (Smile and Smile 2) is writing and directing the project, with Robert Pattinson producing. The remake is already facing backlash online from fans of the original. Popular concerns include whether Qualley’s performance will pale in comparison to Adjani’s, and whether the film will be as effective if the Berlin setting is changed.

Adjani recently appeared in two Netflix mystery miniseries released in 2024 and 2025, respectively, starring opposite Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple and leading French thriller Under a Dark Sun. Qualley is currently filming Jeff Nichols’ Southern Gothic horror King Snake.

Filming for the Possession remake is expected to begin this summer.