Fans of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet – The lyrical, atmospheric and ultimately tragic tale of Hamnet, Shakespeare’s only son, who died in – recently well served: the critically acclaimed stage play based on the best-selling novel is currently at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon Staged, due to transfer this fall to London’s Garrick Theatre. But, there’s also a big-screen iteration in the works, and it’ll star recent Oscar nominees Paul Mezcal and Jesse Buckley.
On May 1, Deadline revealed that the two Irish actors are in talks to direct a film based on the beloved book. The new film, which will be directed by Nomadland) Chloé Zhao. The Oscar-winning director co-wrote the screenplay with O’Farrell himself, suggesting the plot will tie closely to its source material. The latter is a rich and moving account of the beginnings of Shakespeare’s relationship with his wife the charming Agnes, and of the illness and sudden death of their son Hamnet and its devastating effect on his parents. While it hasn’t been confirmed who Mezcal and Buckley will play, it’s safe to assume he’ll play the young, handsome Shakespeare and she the free-spirited Agnes.
The highly anticipated release joins a long list of high-profile projects the pair are currently involved in: Barkley is set to team up with her The Lost Daughter Co-star Olivia reunites Colman with Riz Ahmed and Jeremy Allen White in Thea Sharrock’s comedy Wicked Little Letters In Christos Nikou’s sci-fi thriller Fingernails ; while Mezcal’s upcoming list includes Garth Davis Enemies with Saoirse Ronan, Richard Linklater Happy We Roll and Ridley Scott Gladiator sequel. Any of the above could earn this talented duo a second Oscar nomination, but given Zhao’s involvement — and Nomadland in
A decisive sweep of Academy Awards – Hamnet is probably the most likely. We can’t wait. 202120212021
