Terrence Malick film Weightless renamed Song to Song, first official image release featuring Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling, and Michael Fassbender

A modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene

Between the years 1973 and 2012, Terrence Malick directed just six films, nearly all of which are regarded as cinematic greats (Badlands, The Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life).

However, for some unknown reason, the last few years have seen Malick’s output increase significantly, releasing Knight of Cups in 2015, Voyage of Time in 2016, and, now, Song to Song, which will reach cinemas later this year (followed by the tentatively titled Radegund in 2018).

Thanks to IndieWire, cinephiles now have their first look at the Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling, and Michael Fassbender starring film, previously titled Lawless, and then Weightless.

Other actors who will supposedly feature in Song to Song (depending on whether the infamously scissor-happy Malick decides to cut their part from the film) include Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Haley Bennett, Natalie Portman, Val Kilmer, Benicio Del Toro, Clifton Collins Jr., Angela Bettis, Bérénice Marlohe, and Holly Hunter.

The film’s official premise is as follows: “In this modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene, two entangled couples — struggling songwriters Faye (Rooney Mara) and BV (Ryan Gosling), and music mogul Cook (Michael Fassbender) and the waitress whom he ensnares (Natalie Portman) — chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.”

With the film based on the Austin music scene (and having been filmed partly during Austin City Limits festival), there will be numerous musical guests appearing. They include Patti Smith, Lykke Li, Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine, the Black Lips, Iggy Pop, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Last year, rumours began circulating that the film - known as Weightless at the time - could debut at Glastonbury Festival, something that failed to materialise. Song to Song will hit cinemas 17 March.