Anthony Hopkins, Gwyneth Paltrow and Keira Knightley Do King Lear
I love just about all classic Shakespearean movies (just about anything with Kenneth Branagh is pure gold). Don’t get that confussed with updated modern movies BASED on Shakespearean stories (like the Leonardo DiCaprio lead Romeo and Juliet), I generally HATE those.
Looks like another classic is getting another big screen adaptation, King Lear, and it’s already got quite a cast attached to it. The good folks over at ComingSoon give us this:
Keira Knightley will star in a new film adaptation of Shakespearean tragedy King Lear, according to the Telegraph. She will play Cordelia, the youngest daughter of the King, who will be portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Gwyneth Paltrow is tipped to take the role of Regan, Lear’s treacherous middle daughter. His eldest daughter, Goneril, is yet to be cast. The $35 million film was announced at the Cannes Film Festival and will feature epic battle sequences, according to its makers.
Sign me up. I know it’s not a popular opinion amongst a lot of fans, but I thought Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance in Shakespeare In Love was FANTASTIC and was probably her defining role as an actress. I’m very interested to see her back in that style of genre. To me, the jury is still out on Keira Knightley… sometimes she’s flat as hell, and sometimes she really brings it. And a dash of credibility gets added to any movies with Anthony Hopkins in it.
Still curious to see who is going to direct this… but I’m already on board!
8 Comments, Comment or Ping
Nazz
I am also on board on this one. I, too, like the casting choices.
About Knightley, I think she is the “it” girl when it comes to playing a young British chick in a period piece. Whether she should be the “it” girl or not, that’s a different discussion.
By the way, have you seen Kurosawa’s “Ran”? That was adapted from the play as well.
May 22nd, 2008
Nazz
Also, I may be in the minority, but I actually like Romeo and Juliet (The Dicaprio one)
May 22nd, 2008
haole
Titus, I think is the best Shakespeare adaptation. Anothy Hopkins was crazed, it was violent, I loved it!
May 22nd, 2008
Mozzerino
When will the world finally see that Ikea Knightley can’t act?
May 22nd, 2008
Dragonslayer
After Anthony Hopkins did a brilliant in Beowulf, I am ready for this movie. I like Keira Knightley as an actress and I think she is very beautiful. Gwyneth Paltrow is funny, and she did so good in Iron Man. When does it come out?
May 22nd, 2008
vargas
I’m always interested in a new Shakespeare adaptation. This sounds like a good one. King Lear being my favorite tragedy.
Hey Nazz, I liked Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet too.
May 22nd, 2008
chris (the real one)
cant wait…this sounds like a great idea….i still want hamlet or othello to get a GOOD or AMAZING movie….those stories are so epic and timeless, all u need is a visionary, talented director and good to excellent actors…and u can achieve brilliant cinema masterpieces….
May 22nd, 2008
dan
Is this going to use the shakesperian (how art doth… and all that) language or modern day??
May 23rd, 2008
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