Julie Taymor–who is set to direct the film version of Shakespeares THE TEMPEST–is perhaps one of the most visually gifted directors working in Hollywood today, so the idea of her tackling one of Shakespeares most visually forward works is automatically exciting.
Already, the maverick director has put her own stamp on the piece, changing the main character from Prospero (male), into Prospera (female) so that regal thespian and all around badass Helen Mirren can take the role. Joining the Oscar winner will be a stellar cast that includes Djimon Hounsou as the deformed slave Caliban, Ben Wishaw as the airy spirit Ariel, Russell Brand as Trinculo the jester, Jeremy Irons, as Alonso, the King of Naples, and Alfred Molina as the drunken butler Stephano. Geoffrey is currently in negotiations to play Gonzalo, a royal adviser and old ally of Prospera’s.
The film, which centers around Prospera, her daughter Miranda ( Felicity Jones) and a shipwrecked crew full of Prospera’s enemies, is set to start shooting Next month in Hawaii. Since we’ve all grown up with Billy Shakespeare and can all sort of grasp what a standard production of one of his works might look and feel like, I think when adapting his stuff to the big screen, a unique, dynamic visual interpretation becomes paramount–something a la Baz Lurhman circa ROMEO AND JULIET. Franky, I think Taymor’s got the goods.