We have news today that Naomi Watts, Gwyneth Paltrow and Keira Knightley have been cast in King Lear. We get the scoop from our friends at cinematical:
The Guardian has now confirmed that Naomi Watts will be joining Keira Knightley and Gwyneth Paltrow as the ‘daughters Lear’ in the big-budgeted version of Shakespeare’s classic play, also starring Anthony Hopkins.
The story of Lear centers on a mighty king dividing his estate among his three daughters: Cordelia (Knightley), Regan (Paltrow) and Goneril (Watts). When Cordeila is unable to blow enough smoke up the royal butt, she is disowned, and the lion’s share of the throne goes to her sisters.
The project was announced back in May at Cannes, with a projected budget of $35 million. Most of that is expected to go towards the epic battle sequences that occur when the kingdom descends into the family feud to end all feuds.
I haven’t read Shakespeare, so movies will have to do for now.
From the above news piece, I can certainly appreciate the mention of battle budgets. I love epic scale cinema battles, especially with swords and armor. The clanking of swords and a sea of metal combatants, makes for a powerful image of humanity involved in the art of war.
I think it was Kristina that mentioned that Keira Knightly has been racking up an inordinate amount of roles involving gowns as of late. This casting certainly adds to her theory. But hell, if I would wear a gown for that kind of scratch so who can blame her. King Lear is in theaters 2010.
