At last! The Hollywood Wuthering Heights!
Oh, this is big news!
Peter Webber has signed to direct the long-gestating big screen version of Wuthering Heights with Gemma Arterton and Ed Westwick taking on the roles of young lovers Cathy and Heathcliff, says The Hollywood Reporter.
This time last year John Maybury was to direct the project with Michael Fassbender attached for the lead role of Heathcliff. Arterton steps in after Natalie Portman pulled out of the headline role of Cathy.
British production and finance label Ecosse Films principals Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae will produce the tragic love story. Olivia Hetreed, who teamed with Webber on Girl With a Pearl Earring, wrote the script. (Comingsoon.net)
How exciting! I had begun to think this adaptation had been completely flushed down the toilet—but it lives (I hope this time, for good)!
After going from Natalie Portman, to Lindsey Lohan (ummm…?), to Abbie Cornish, we’ve finally got our Cathy. We’ve already seen Gemma Arterton in two costume dramas, the comical Lost in Austen and the depressing Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Seeing Gemma go from innocent, hapless Tess to passionate, unbridled, unruly Catherine Earnshaw will require some getting used to, but I am excited to see how she handles the new dimension.
Michael Fassbender was originally rumored to be playing Heathcliff, but now we have a relative newcomer. Ed Westwick’s filmography is about as brief as Arterton’s, and he is best known for his role in Gossip Girl. In my humble opinion, he looks a little boyish to be playing the menacing Heathcliff, but then again, I am partial to Tom Hardy’s impressive, almost frightening character. No matter—I am just wildly excited that this is being made at all!
No word yet on approximately when in 2010 we can expect this film.
I am thrilled about the casting! I loved Gemma A. in Tess and Lost in Austen. As a bone fide Gossip Girl fan, I am completely smitten by Chuck Bass. I can’t really see him as Heathcliff (Heathcliff doesn’t wear purple), but I believe in his acting skills. We shall see…
Also, I have to say I am relieved that Natalie Portman dropped out of the running. Her English accent is um…how to be nice? …I won’t say anything on that matter other than I’m glad the casting directors came to their senses and cast British actors for a British role.
Gemma going from Tess to Cathy!! That should interesting indeed!! I can’t wait to see it and I agree with you about Tom Hardy as Heathcliff. He was definitely menacing!!