Speaking to Fairfax Media following the announcement Australian actresses Cate Blanchett and Mia Wasikowska will play lesbian lovers in a new film, Mr Weaving – the film maker brother of Hugo and father of Samara – said same sex love stories may become more prevalent in major, mainstream films.

“When a theme becomes popular it’s likely that Hollywood picks up on it and runs with it. Just like the spate of films that focused on the AIDS virus back in the 1990s and the more recent movies about zombies and vampires,” the film aficionado said.

It was announced on Wednesday that Blanchett and Wasikowska have been cast in the lead roles of the upcoming drama Carol, the film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s controversial novel The Price of Salt.

The story revolves around a young New York department store worker in the 1950s who dreams of a more fulfilling life and her affair with an unhappily married older woman.

Wasikowska, who has previously starred in the remakes of Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre, will play the younger character who embarks on a road trip with the older wealthy woman – played by Academy Award winner, and fellow countryman, Blanchett.

Carol will be directed by Todd Haynes, the man who also directed Blanchett in the 2007 critically acclaimed film I’m Not Here.

Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein has bought the US distribution rights to the film which will begin filming in London in October.

The deal was reportedly brokered at the recent Cannes Film Festival where Abdellatif Kechiche’s lesbian romance Blue is the Warmest Colour was awarded the coveted Palme d’Or prize.

Behind the Candelabra, the story of Liberace’s struggle with his homosexuality, also premiered and received glowing reviews by the critics during the 2013 film festival.

“You can guarantee than when Harvey signs up to something he is thinking in dollar signs,” Mr Weaving said.

“Mia is an extraordinary actress, as is Cate. I think both of them will shine. The film is well suited to them as the roles will really make them think but will ask a lot of them.”

Simon Weaving is a film reviewer for The Canberra Times.