Barbara Broccoli’s EON Productions, the former controller of the James Bond franchise before Amazon’s acquisition, will team with Qatar’s Film Committee on a new film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Othello”.
The first project for Broccoli since the sale of Bond rights to Amazon MGM, the film is an adaptation of the Sam Gold-directed production that first ran at the New York Theatre Workshop in 2016.
That version reimagines the classic text in a contemporary war-torn desert in the Middle East. David Oyelowo will both direct and play the lead role of Othello in the film.
Also starring are Rachel Brosnahan as Desdemona and Cynthia Erivo as Iago’s wife Emilia. No word on who’ll play the key role of Iago, though Daniel Craig played the part in that 2016 stage version alongside Oyelowo and Brosnahan.
The project will be shot in Doha next Fall. Oyelowo says in a statement:
“Our cinematic version of ‘Othello’ is bitingly modern and fearlessly ambitious. To have a real shot at that, you need fearless actors. Cynthia is not only a generational talent but a dear friend with whom I am always keen to collaborate, and Rachel was a dream to play opposite in our original stage production and has been an inspiring pillar to build around for our fresh take on this legendary tale.”
The production will utilise the newly-launched Qatar Screen Production Incentive, which offers up to 50% cash rebate. Broccoli will produce the film with Nicky Bentham and Oyelowo.
Further casting for key roles like Iago, Cassio, Bianca, Brabantio and Roderigo will be named at a later date.
Source: Screen
