Contemporary film adaptations of Shakespeare works haven't gone that well in the past (think of Josh Hartnett's squinty confused looks in O). Hell, simple film adaptations of Shakespeare plays haven't gone over that well, they were simply written to be performed on a stage. So when news broke today that Emile Hirsch would be playing Hamlet in Ron Nyswaner's contemporary rendition of the classic tragedy with Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke at the helm, I wasn't exactly enthused.
However, on second consideration, if the same Emile Hirsch that was brilliant in Milk and Into the Wild shows up, this potential turd sandwich could be saved. At the same time, Leonardo DiCaprio is a great actor and that didn't affect the quality of Romeo + Juliet very much. I think it really depends on what the contemporary premise of the film is. If it's about a greedy uncle trying to take a major American corporation away from Hamlet, there is no saving this film.
Who do you guys think would make a good Ophelia?
--Clark Herer
*UPDATE*
According to Entertainment Weekly, the premise is as follows:
"Stemming from an idea initially proposed by Hirsch, Hardwicke and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia) are working feverishly to transport the drama to a small East Coast liberal arts college where Hamlet's father is the president. The story will begin with Hamlet (Hirsch) returning home for his father's funeral, only to learn that his uncle, who has taken over his father's post, is responsible for his father's murder."
However, on second consideration, if the same Emile Hirsch that was brilliant in Milk and Into the Wild shows up, this potential turd sandwich could be saved. At the same time, Leonardo DiCaprio is a great actor and that didn't affect the quality of Romeo + Juliet very much. I think it really depends on what the contemporary premise of the film is. If it's about a greedy uncle trying to take a major American corporation away from Hamlet, there is no saving this film.
Who do you guys think would make a good Ophelia?
--Clark Herer
*UPDATE*
According to Entertainment Weekly, the premise is as follows:
"Stemming from an idea initially proposed by Hirsch, Hardwicke and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia) are working feverishly to transport the drama to a small East Coast liberal arts college where Hamlet's father is the president. The story will begin with Hamlet (Hirsch) returning home for his father's funeral, only to learn that his uncle, who has taken over his father's post, is responsible for his father's murder."
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