August 11, 2008
Scotland on Sunday reports that the new film version of King Lear starring Anthony Hopkins could be filmed in Scotland instead of Ireland as was first reported.
In addition to Anthony Hopkins, the film will feature Keira Knightley as Cordelia, Gwyneth Paltrow as Regan, and Naomi Watts as Goneril.
According the article published 10 August, “The director and producers of the movie, which is due to start filming in the spring, arrive in Scotland tomorrow to examine potential locations. Faye Ward, one of the London-based producers, told Scotland on Sunday: “It’s definitely more than a possibility.”
Locations in Skye, the West Highlands, Perthshire are on the producers’ itinerary. The filmmakers say they are looking for epic, untouched landscapes. Several Scottish castles are also being considered including Eilean Donan Castle and Blackness, which was used in Mel Gibson’s 1990 version of Hamlet.
The film’s director, Joshua Michael Stern, describes the movie as, “Extremely raw and very bloody.” The movie will reportedly include battle scenes similar to those in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. Filming on the $35 million movie is scheduled to begin shooting in January of 2009.
Stern’s latest movie, the political satire Swing Vote starring Kevin Costner, just opened in the United States.
Read the complete Scotland on Sunday article.
Web Resources:
Cinnnews podcast interview with Joshua Michael Stern, pt. 1 (Discusses King Lear about two thirds of the way through, Quicktime required)
Cinnnews podcast interview with Joshua Michael Stern, pt. 2 (Discusses King Lear a little less than two thirds of the way through, Quicktime required)
