EXCLUSIVE: The Oscar nominee and William Hurt are among a handful of new additions to the project, which has begun shooting in New York.

Also understood to be joining leads James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain are Isabelle Huppert, comedian Bill Hader, Ciarin Hinds, Jess Weixler from Sundance 2007 hit Teeth and Nina Arianda.

Ned Benson is directing two simultaneous versions of the love story based on his companion screenplays that relate the separate perspectives of the male and female leads. Cassandra Kulukundis is producing.

Myriad Pictures is producing and financing The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby and began pre-sales in Cannes earlier two months ago. Myriad could not be reached to confirm the casting at time of writing.