Ellen Page to play Jane Eyre
Many thanks to Kyung for sending us in the direction of this. Many websites report the news that Ellen Page, Oscar nominee for Juno, is set to be the new Jane Eyre in the big screen.The news all seem to come from a Variety article:
Ellen Page is set to play one of English literature's most famous characters, the eponymous heroine of Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre."The Hollywood Reporter adds:
Alison Owen of Ruby Films, who most recently produced "The Other Boleyn Girl," is working with BBC Films to develop the new adaptation of Bronte's classic 19th century romance. It's the story of a mousy governess who softens the heart of her surly employer Mr. Rochester, only to discover that he's hiding a terrible secret.
Moira Buffini has written the screenplay. No director is yet attached, but the producers are aiming to set the project up to shoot this fall.
"Jane Eyre" is one of the most adapted novels in English literature, with at least 20 previous film or TV versions. Most recently, the BBC made it into a miniseries that won three Emmys last year. The last bigscreen adaptation, in 1996, was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starred Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Miramax Films is said to be in discussions to board "Eyre." (Steven Zeitchik)Still, though, we are finding it rather weird that they should be filming a new Jane Eyre so soon after the miniseries Jane Eyre 2006, also produced by another branch of the BBC. If the film does start shooting in autumn 2008 that would set it for release by mid to end 2009, which would be a gap of merely three years between the two productions.
Interesting to see what will come from this. We could be having a very Brontë season if the new Wuthering Heights and the biopic Brontë also see the light at about the same time.
(Picture source)
Categories: In the News, Jane Eyre, Movies-DVD-TV
Labels: In the News, Jane Eyre, Movies-DVD-TV
Posted by Cristina on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 9:38 AM 
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Erm....... I have no idea what to say. I'm not sure. Ellen is an amazing actress but if i'm honest i'm not sure if she's a Jane. It seems to be flavour of the month casting, despite her considerable talent. This doesn't make sense to me. When Natalie was cast as Cathy i could see why she would be cast, but i'm struggling here. If this movie comes into fruition i'll hope for the best.
I'm more excited for Wuthering Heights. By the way someone on IMDB said that the ITV Wuthering Heights is going ahead and it's being filmed in June before the new cinema version. You guys know anything about this?
BBC!!! You just did a Jnae Eyre. Why???
We are quite baffled as well, mainly because of how unexpected this news was. Such a short time in between Janes shows more than ever just how unwilling producers are to take a risk with any of the other Brontë novels (Wuthering Heights being the exception).
Many thanks for the info on the ITV Wuthering Heights. The future looks very Brontë indeed.
Yeah, i totally agree. I think maybe it it time for a remake of Wuthering Heights, but Jane Eyre was just done. I would really like to see Villette on screen actually.
Please don't take my word as absolute truth about ITV's Wuthering Heights, it's just what i heard off someone and i have no clue how they knew that.
Natalie Portman for Cathy Earnshaw and now this?
Where are the adaptations of Villette; Shirley; Agnes Grey, BBC?
Do you now see why people have a go at you for rehashing the same material over and over again? And now you've gone and cast Freema Agyeman as Tattycoram in the new Little Dorrit!
Faye - We will see about that Wuthering Heights. Stranger things have happened, I guess.
Tattycoram (or should we now call you Freema Agyeman?) - I must say too that what bothers me the most is that they are once again taking the "easy way out" and avoiding doing anything new. So sad as, really, the others have potential - the only thing they lack is popularity and - not to underestimate the Brontës - the BBC are highly responsible for that. North & South? Cranford? they were huge successes despite being relatively little-known!
Wouldn't James McAvoy make a great Mr. Rochester?
James McAvoy? I don't have anything against him as an actor but he's way too young (and good-looking) to play Rochester! He's not even thirty yet.
James McAvoy is far too young!
Cristina: Absolutely agreed!
This is from the BBC Films site:
'We protect the BBC’s interests and ensure that licence payers get the best value-for-money from BBC investments in feature films.'
Hmph! They did this with The Other Boleyn Girl; they produced one in 2003 and then followed it up with an US centric cast in 2008.
My licence fee is paying for these shoddy projects.
Tattycoram - if I were you I'd focus on thinking my money is going to the excellent things only. Do you think they're still paying for some kind of loan for Jane Eyre 2006? Or Cranford?
Cristina: the voice of reason! I suppose I should look at it that way; it just irks me that there's another BBC Jane Eyre when the masterpiece that is Villette gets no attention!
I'm not sure about the loan situation; as far as I'm aware they were co productions, so I presume the costs were subsidised between the BBC and the other party.
I do, however, know that Cranford was a huge success both critically and ratings wise; so much so that an all new two parter was commissioned by the BBC for Christmas 2009.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/31/
bbc.television?gusrc=rss&feed=media
Tattycoram,
Thanks for the info on more Cranford! I shall be looking forward to Christmas 2009. And you can start thinking that your money is going towards that!
I know, I wonder why they are failing to see the potential of Villette.
You're welcome Bronteblog/Cristina!
:)
I thought the 1996 film version was probably the best. The cast was perfect. Hope this one can be great as well, I never tire of seeing good adaptations of Jane Eyre! They really need a good Rochester though. Ciaran Hinds as Rochester completely ruined the show.
Random thought: How about Ewan McGregor as Rochester? I think he'd be great!
I'm really excited that Ellen will be Jane; in all the adaptions of Jane Eyre I've watched, she's the only actress that could actually pass for 18-19. (Though Ruth Wilson came pretty close)
It is rather surprising that the BBC is adapting Jane Eyre yet again, but as Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece is my favorite novel, I am thrilled to see another version onscreen.
However, I saw suggestions of Ewan McGregor and James MacAvoy to play my Edward.....
NO!
Both are great actors and have extremely hot Scottish accents, but both are too attractive and look nothing like the black-eyed and olive-toned Rochester from the novel.
Hi Kristine,
We definitely agree with you: Ewan McGregor and James MacAvoy are great actors but neither of them matches the outward description of Rochester.
We will see what happens - there has been hardly any news on this production after they announced this.
This is a random thought, but what do you all think of Hugh Jackman as Mr. Rochester? Highly doubt he will be casted, but it's just a thought.
Not that very bad, but I don't think he'd be my first choice (though not my last either).
Thanks for the comment! :)
Just curious, but what would be your first choice? :]
Richard Armitage for Rochester 2009!
He would be perfect!
This is not the first time I’ll say that this reminds me of a quote from director John Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The African Queen). Huston said, “You don’t have to be the thing itself to be an actor in the theatre. You don’t have to be the real article … But to be a screen actor, you have to be the real thing. The camera sees behind the eyes of the person, it sees something – it sees deeper into the person than just an acquaintance would. The camera has … a discerning!”
If this is true, then it makes sense to choose an actor who clearly has a lot going on in his head to serve the complicated character of Mr. Rochester rather than someone for whom the main recommendation is that he outwardly looks the part. Sounds funny but anything less seems fraudulent.
Definitely agreed about that, jerryjeff, but still, outwardly, it should be someone in accordance to Charlotte Brontë's depiction of Rochester too. But it does absolutely need to be someone with the proper 'background' (for lack of a better word). Any suggestions from you?
Joaquin Phoenix IS Mr. Rochester
Thank you and good day.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://handson.provocateuse.com/images/photos/joaquin_phoenix_06.jpg&imgrefurl=http://handson.provocateuse.com/show/joaquin_phoenix&h=600&w=516&sz=223&hl=en&start=8&um=1&usg=__OkNHjSnyBa442PL2d6Jfke5Kucs=&tbnid=lAnmxNfAAcWlyM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DJoaquin%2BPhoenix%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN
It will be a long time before they get a better EFR than Toby Stephens!
Adele: You ROCK!! I couldn't agree more, I've been saying this to anyone who will will listen! Will it ever happen? Unfortunately I doubt it....
I think it's too bad they haven't done Villette which is considered to be her OTHER great novel. I LOVE Jane Eyre but my fave Rochesters still remain Timothy Dalton and Michael Jayston. Though Toby Stephens ACTED the character well. I cannot see anyone except maybe Clive Owen playing him - right kind of age/look, or perhaps Russell Crowe.
hmmm, not too sure about this new adaptation. I absolutely love the book but they just released one in 2006. And although ellen page is a really great actress I doubt she can pull of the look and feel of the jane I imagine. Well, I just hope they stay true to the story and if not then i'll just stick to reading my well used, beloved copy of the book :)
Hugh Laurie as Rochester. Think about it. He has the rugged appearance, searching eyes. But no one is better at playing a bitter and brooding character. In case you haven't seen the show HOUSE he is the main character. And yes he is British
Hugh laurie is a great actor, but he's too old ! He's almost fifty. I vote for Richard Armitage. Second Joaquin. If only Alan Rickman was younger...
He doesn't look 50. And so what that had william hurt play it and he looked twice as old when he played. Im just saying no one plays a pain in the ass like Hugh Laurie. I don't know. Its SO HARD. Who can beat Toby Stephens
I HAVE A SUGGESTION....ELLIOT COWAN
Yuk!
Ok how about Daniel Craig. Old enough, very hot for an older man. Has the searching eyes, the very masculine features?
richard armitage is not a bad choice, but Toby stephens will be very hard to beat. He's got an amazing way of making a viewer feel his emotion. He's one of the best actors out there!
oooh. i have an idea. Hans Matheson. from Tess of the D'urberville.
I thought about Lee Pace from Phushing Daisies for some time now... He might be a little too young, too tall and too cute, though. I like the idea of Richard Armitage, but he will always be Mr Thornton to me! And I never heard of Elliot Cowan before... Let's google him... I like the way he looks, but I can't say if he could be a good Rochester, because I've never seen him on screen.
... and Henry Cavill as St John Rivers would just be PERFECT!!
Actually, I've JUST seen Elliot Cowan in Lost in Austen and I loved him... but as Mr Darcy (though nobody can beat Matthew MacFadyen of course) and not as Mr Rochester. I'd kinda like to see him try though. He's not THAT handsome and seems to be a quite good actor. I just don't know if that's enough... they should get the best!!
BBC! if you don't put Richard Armitage in as Mr. Rochester i will cry myself to death! I was watching him in North and South and I can see him looking at Jane Eyre with those passionate eyes and saying "jane"
Yuk. Okay, maybe he'd be a good Mr. Brocklehurst.
I just finished watching the bbc adaption of Elizabeth Gaskell's two books. In North and South (of course) Richard Armitag plays Mr. Thornton. After looking at that I thought that he would make a great Rochester before I even knew that there was a 2009 version of Jane Eyre being filmed. In Wives and Daughters, Anthony Howell plays Mr. Hamley and I also thought he could do a presentable job as Rochester too.
I also it should be Richard Armitage.. I can think of sooo many scenes where he could give you a glimpse of Rochester's inner soul like nobody else ever has.
what do you guys think about Hugh Grant?
I second Joaquin Phoenix! aaaaand Richard Armitage is gorgeous, I think he's a possible Rochester. Rochester has a distinctive look; it's said he's not handsome, but I think he's beautiful in a very rugged, dark and manly way.
Lee Pace is absolutely adorable (I "awww"ed outloud when I googled him!) but not a Rochester :-(
I know... I'd looove to see Lee Pace in such an "oldfashined" role just once... Maybe he will be Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey someday?
Don't we have more info about this project? I see Armitage too as a great Rochester. Also Bardem! jeje
Hello people?? Clive Owen is the ONLY person who I can really see as Mr Rochester. Richard Armitage would do an amazing job but for me, he will always be Mr Thornton. Love Lee Pace but he's too beautiful. Daniel Craig, Ewan McGregor all too blonde. I will be very annoyed if they cast a blonde actor as Mr Rochester, that would be sacriledge. Joaquin Phoenix or Hugh Jackman also look right for the role, the actor needs to be late 30s - 40s and dark-haired with olive skin tone. Not much to ask then...
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