We have news today that Naomi Watts, Gwyneth Paltrow and Keira Knightley have been cast in King Lear. We get the scoop from our friends at cinematical:
The Guardian has now confirmed that Naomi Watts will be joining Keira Knightley and Gwyneth Paltrow as the ‘daughters Lear’ in the big-budgeted version of Shakespeare’s classic play, also starring Anthony Hopkins.
The story of Lear centers on a mighty king dividing his estate among his three daughters: Cordelia (Knightley), Regan (Paltrow) and Goneril (Watts). When Cordeila is unable to blow enough smoke up the royal butt, she is disowned, and the lion’s share of the throne goes to her sisters.
The project was announced back in May at Cannes, with a projected budget of $35 million. Most of that is expected to go towards the epic battle sequences that occur when the kingdom descends into the family feud to end all feuds.
I haven’t read Shakespeare, so movies will have to do for now.
From the above news piece, I can certainly appreciate the mention of battle budgets. I love epic scale cinema battles, especially with swords and armor. The clanking of swords and a sea of metal combatants, makes for a powerful image of humanity involved in the art of war.
I think it was Kristina that mentioned that Keira Knightly has been racking up an inordinate amount of roles involving gowns as of late. This casting certainly adds to her theory. But hell, if I would wear a gown for that kind of scratch so who can blame her. King Lear is in theaters 2010.
Knightley can’t act her way out of a wet paper bag. And she needs a sammich or three. This movie holds a lot of promise other than Keira being a part of it.
I don’t mind Knightley in dresses, but not if she’s supposed to be a Victorian woman (Pirates 3) and then acting 360 degrees from how a Victorian should, or would ever consider doing. I get that it was an action movie, but the costumes on PoTC 3 and the stunts she did.. it pained me.
Also, Knightley has a ‘modern woman walk’ if you know what I mean. and it was a sore sight in Pride&prejudice.
Sorry. Sore spot.
“I haven’t read Shakespeare, so movies will have to do for now.”
LMAO
‘For now’. Why, Doug? Are you planning to purchase a copy of the Riverside? Do you have ‘Must read Bard’s canon’ on your ‘To Do’ list? (If so, what else is on that list…?)
Great opening for some comedy schtick.
Anthony Hopkins is a good choice but I would have liked Ian McKellan. I know he has played the role onstage many times and would love to see that. If you want to see a great adaption of this story, I recommend “Ran” by Akira Kurosawa. It’s fucking bad ass!
It WAS me who said it. Put her ass in a time machine and send her back to medieval times. She’s desperate to get there!
The reason Keira is doing so many period movies is because they are British, and she said she wants to help British movies get greenlight as she is a ‘name’.
It wouldn’t hurt to do a modern movie now and again though.