Daisy Ridley and Naomi Watts are in final talks to star in Ophelia, a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic Hamlet through the eyes of the play’s famously doomed heroine, Deadline said.
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The novel tells the same story entirely from Ophelia’s point of view, giving her a secret marriage with Hamlet, a pregnancy, and a faked suicide followed by an escape to a new life in France. Shakespeare’s play is the story of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, who seeks revenge on his Uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet’s father, the king, and married Hamlet’s mother. “Exploring the nature of true love and beauty”.
Set in the 14th century but spoken in a contemporary voice, Ophelia will put the titular character center stage. Claire McCarthy, who directed The Waiting City, is set to direct. Who knows when it’ll land in theaters, as Ridley is already tied to a few other post-Star Wars: Episode VIII films.
Ophelia is based on the novel by Lisa Klein, adapted for the screen by Mad Men scribe Semi Chellas.
Independent feature production, financing, and distribution company Covert Media is financing the film that’s being produced by Daniel Bobker and Ehren Kruger (THE BROTHERS GRIMM) and Sarah Curtis (HYSTERIA).
I’m so excited to bring this fresh mythic spin to Hamlet from a female perspective.
Daisy Ridley, catapulted into the limelight thanks to the latest Star Wars film, is considering whether to be or not to be in Ophelia a film inspired by Hamlet.
Daisy Ridley and Naomi Watts have been cast in the Ophelia film adaptation. She’s also attached to star in Marielle Heller’s KOLMA with JJ Abrams producing for Paramount.
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Naomi was most recently seen opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Demolition.
