Director Catherine Hardwicke is set to helm an Emile Hirsch-led modern day retelling of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” according to EW.
The idea was reportedly first proposed by Hirsch and is currently being scripted by Hardwicke and scribe Ron Nyswaner who are transporting the classic novel to a small East Coast liberal arts college where Hamlet’s father is the president. The adapted story will be catalyzed by the return home of Hamlet for his father’s funeral, only to learn that his uncle, who has taken over his father’s post, is responsible for his father’s murder.
“I had never thought of it at all, until Emile mentioned the idea,” said Hardwicke of the project. “At first, I thought it was scary and crazy, and then we read it aloud and I knew how to do it.” The project will apparently utilize some the original play’s dialogue but will predominantly be ‘modernised.’ “You will understand everything without having a copy of Shakespeare for Dummies with you,” admitted the director.
While Hardwicke is now most famous, or infamous, for her role as the director of “Twilight,” it must be noted that she also helmed skateboarding film “Lords Of Dogtown” which featured stand-out performances from Hirsch and the late Heath Ledger. It’s anyone’s guess though on what kind of caliber film she will churn out next.
An early poster (?) for the project can be found at Hardwicke’s official website where the film is being referred to as “Haml3t.”
