In a surprising turn of events, acclaimed filmmaker Gus Van Sant has taken on the role of executive producer and principal director in the highly anticipated limited series, "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans." Known for his gritty films that explored the lives of outsiders and individuals in challenging circumstances, Van Sant's involvement in a story centered around author Truman Capote's betrayal of New York socialites may seem unexpected.

The inspiration for "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" came from a real-life event in which Capote published a scandalous story titled "La Côte Basque, 1965" in the November 1975 issue of Esquire magazine. The story, disguised as an excerpt from Capote's upcoming novel "Answered Prayers," caused a furor by revealing the secrets of the wealthy women, whom Capote had affectionately referred to as his "swans." Van Sant, who had firsthand knowledge of the episode, commented on how the story impacted Capote's relationships with the people he wrote about.

Ryan Murphy serves as the executive producer of the "Feud" franchise, with "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" as its second installment. The star-studded cast includes Tom Hollander as Truman Capote, Naomi Watts as Babe Paley, Diane Lane as Slim Keith, Chloë Sevigny as C.Z. Guest, Calista Flockhart as Lee Radziwill, Demi Moore as Ann Woodward, Molly Ringwald as Joanne Carson, and the late Treat Williams as William Paley. Seasoned writer Jon Robin Baitz penned the series based on Laurence Leamer's book, "Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era."

Van Sant's involvement in "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" extends beyond his role as director. He directed six out of the eight episodes, which span various time periods, from the glamorous '60s to the aftermath of the controversial Esquire article. Known for his ability to guide actors to acclaimed performances, Van Sant strove to maintain a sense of realism throughout the series. The female actors drew from their own experiences and provided input on their characters, ensuring a dynamic portrayal of the women involved in the story.

Van Sant, who attended Catlin Gabel School in Portland, left the city to pursue his career in filmmaking. While he has made notable contributions to cinema including "Drugstore Cowboy" and "Good Will Hunting," his Portland-filmed works such as "Elephant" and "Restless" have left a lasting impact. Despite no longer residing in Portland, Van Sant reflected on his deep connection to the city and acknowledged his occasional visits.

"Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" is set to premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, January 31. The series will air on FX at 10 p.m., followed by another episode at 11:19 p.m. It will also be available for streaming on Hulu, promising audiences a gripping tale of betrayal and the consequences it brings in the world of high society.