The glorious Natalie Portman has signed on to star in the 13th incarnation of Wuthering Heights. We get the following news blurb thanks to the professionals at Variety:
Natalie Portman is attached as the lead in a new film version of “Wuthering Heights.” Olivia Hetreed (“Girl With a Pearl Earring”) wrote the script.
The most recent bigscreen adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic matched Ralph Fiennes with Juliette Binoche, but the Goldwyn release grossed just $624,643 in 1989. The definitive film take remains William Wyler’s 1939 version starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, which earned eight Oscar noms.
Natalie Portman is a delightful actress that seems to be universally loved. Whenever she is in a film, I am pulled to the picture as if I were in the grip of a tractor beam; this one will be no different.
I am not a fan of remakes, but this story is now on its 13th incarnation. That is quite an accomplishment and certainly wells up curiosity for the project. The 1939 version was nominated for an Oscar, perhaps those involved figure a little tinkering may eventually bring home the win.
I am going to try and get my hands on the 1939 film so I can watch it before this one and compare the two. I think it would be fun to give side by side reviews and see if practice makes perfect, or if they should have left well enough alone.
