Terrence Malick will shoot two new films in 2012 with Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, and others

International distribution and production company FilmNation Entertainment has announced that Malick will begin back-to-back production on two new films in 2012 titled LAWLESS and KNIGHT OF CUPS. Here are details from the press release:

FilmNation Entertainment is continuing their relationship with acclaimed director Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life, The Thin Red Line) and handling international sales and distribution on his next two films. LAWLESS will star Ryan Gosling (Drive, The Ides of March) and boasts a supporting cast that includes Academy Award Winners Christian Bale (The Dark Knight, The Flowers of War), Cate Blanchett (The Hobbit, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) plus Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network) and Haley Bennett (Marley & Me, The Haunting of Molly Hartley).

The second film, KNIGHT OF CUPS, will star Christian Bale with a supporting cast including Cate Blanchett and Isabel Lucas (Immortals, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Both films are currently in pre-production and will shoot back-to-back in 2012. Sarah Green (Untitled Terrence Malick Project, The Tree of Life, The New World, Take Shelter, Mud) and Nicolas Gonda (Untitled Terrence Malick Project, The Tree of Life, The New World) will serve as the producers on both films with FilmNation Entertainment handling international sales during this week’s AFM.

Now, for some clarifications. The picture above that shows Malick directing Christian Bale came about back in September during the Austin City Limits Music Festival. At the time, it was unknown what exactly was being filmed and for what specific project (there was already talk of a new untitled film back then). According to sources in the know over at The Playlist however, what was happening there was pre-production on LAWLESS where Bale was apparently “on hand working out and finding his character” with Malick.

KNIGHT OF CUPS, meanwhile, is completely new. As you can see from the press release, no story details are presented (par for the course with a Malick film). However, one has to wonder if the film’s title isn’t a reference to tarot cards.

So two new films will be going into production for Malick next year, and that’s not to mention the untitled Ben Affleck/Rachel McAdams romantic drama that’s currently in post, or the documentary VOYAGE OF TIME. That’s FOUR films we’ll be getting from the man in the next couple of years.

Mr. Malick, I think you’ve been possessed by Steven Soderbergh!