After it failed to go in front of cameras for its planned April start, we were beginning to fear Andrea Arnold’s adaptation of Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights” had fallen through as so many projects do.
The adaptation had up-and-coming “Skins” actress Kaya Scodelario attached to star and was on the hunt for a male lead — specifically 16-24 years old from Yorkshire of Gypsy appearance, though not necessarily experienced — to fill the iconic role of Heathcliff before things went stale.
Thankfully though, Deadline reveals that the film is now looking to begin lensing this fall even though it remains without a male lead despite all the open castings calls that took place. The likes of Goldcrest, Film4, Screen Yorkshire and the UK Film Council have also committed financially to the latest adaptation of the 1847 novel which follows the story of young Catherine Earnshaw (Scodelario) who commits to an adulterous, passionate yet restrained love affair with foster brother Heathcliff which has vengeful and destructive consequences.
Arnold’s outstanding sophomore feature “Fish Tank” starring Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender tackled somewhat similar themes of infidelity and forbidden love with a neo-realist brush, so it’ll be interesting to see what she can bring for this Gothic period tale. Hopefully things stick to the plan this time ’round because we can’t wait to see what she has planned.