Could Robert Eggers‘ “The Northman” release have sparked renewed interest in revisiting “Hamlet”? The Viking epic is based on the original Scandinavian tale that directly influenced William Shakespeare’s beloved story of revenge and murder. Now, a new modern film version of “Hamlet” is on the horizon from Oscar-winners Riz Ahmed and Aneil Karia.
The duo recently won Oscars for Best Short Film thanks to the terrific picture “The Long Goodbye,” and Deadline reports they are now looking to re-imagine the “Hamlet” story with a thriller edge. The London-set pic will also explore mental health, that of both Ahmed’s Hamlet and Ophelia, played by “Saint Maud” actress Morfydd Clark.
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“The Favourite” actor Joe Alywn, starring in “Conversations With Friends” on Hulu this month, has also nabbed the role of Laertes, Ophelia’s brother and son of Polonius.
Ahmed’s Hamlet is haunted by his father’s ghost and driven to increasingly unstable heights. This re-imagining sees Hamlet move through London’s elite circles and attend exuberant parties, going to violent lengths to avenge his father’s murder and prove his uncle guilty of the crime.
Screenwriter Michael Lesslie is behind the film’s script and isn’t a stranger to Shakespeare adaptations. Lesslie previously co-wrote Justin Kurzel‘s “Macbeth,” which starred Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard as the murderous leads of the “Scottish play.”
This won’t be the first or last time we’ll see a major adaptation of “Hamlet” as Laurence Olivier, Mel Gibson, Kenneth Branagh, and Ethan Hawke have all played the Danish prince in the past. “Star Wars” actress Daisy Ridley had recently starred in the 2018 film “Ophelia” as the titular character.
Clark made waves when it was revealed she’d be playing a young version of Cate Blanchett‘s Galadriel in Amazon‘s super expensive “Lord of The Rings” prequel series that debuts in September. The role will certainly launch the actress as a recognizable face.
“Hamlet” heads to the Cannes Market with WME Independent and CAA handling its sale.