Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver are set to star in Useful Idiots, director Joseph Cedars thriller for Fifth Season, Closer Media and Black Bear.

Streep will play veteran New York property market journalist Diane Castle who, disillusioned with writing about the wealthy elite, probes a record-breaking sale of a new penthouse and the buyers identity for what could be the story of a lifetime.

At its center is a mysterious oligarch, whose influence stretches across Manhattan and beyond protected by a network of fixers, enablers,and a brilliant young strategist. Out of her depth, Diane digs deeper into the investigation, her determination to uncover the truth revealing a web of corruption and danger at the highest levels, ensnaring Diane, her family, and all those around her, a synopsis from the producers reads. Oscar winner Streep is known for movie roles in Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophies Choice, The Iron Lady,and theMamma Mia!franchise. Weaver has credits that include Working Girl, Gorillas in the Mist,Alien,Ghostbusters andAvatar.

Cedar has received two Oscar nominations for best international feature film for Beaufort and Footnote, and recently directed the HBO miniseriesOur Boys. Black Bear will shop the project to international buyers at the American Film Market, and CAA Media Finance will handle the U.S. rights.

Cedar will direct Useful Idiots from a script he wrote with 60 Minutes producer Shachar Bar-On. Fifth Season will finance and produce with Closer Medias Zhang Xin and Jonathan King, Bruce Cohen and William Horberg.Graham Taylor, Christopher Slager and Dan Guando will executive produce for Fifth Season.

Streep is represented by CAA. Weaver is represented by UTA. Cedar isrepresented by CAA and Kneller Artists Agency.