Jane Eyre could be taking another swoon on the big screen -- with Ellen Page playing the iconic character.
BBC Films has signed on to develop an adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel and has attached Page to play Jane. Moira Buffini wrote the screenplay; a director has not yet been chosen.
The role would mark the first period piece for Page, who has signed on to a number of contemporary films since her Oscar-nominated turn in "Juno," including the roller-derby comedy "Whip It!" and the dramatic thriller "Peacock." She opted out of Sam Raimi's supernatural tale "Drag Me to Hell" this year, citing scheduling conflicts.
Bronte's 1847 novel tells the love story of a governess and her master, Edward Rochester, with Gothic flourishes. It's among the most-filmed English novels of all time, with well over a dozen productions reaching the big and small screens, including BBC-produced miniseries in 1973 and 2006. Among the actresses to play the title character over the years are Joan Fontaine, Susannah York and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Via reuters.com
Young Hollywood’s most in-demand actress Ellen Page takes the May 2008 cover of Teen Vogue. Here’s what she had to say on how life is now and what to expect of her career:
On life being surreal: “The Barbara Walters interview, the Academy luncheon, meeting Sissy Spacek— there have been all these moments that it’s really hard to wrap my head around. To be recognized with these women that I have so much respect for, it feels wrong, in a way. I’m insanely grateful, but its just like, ‘Really? Are you sure?’”
On staying grounded: “I absolutely adore acting. But I also know that this is a fragile industry, and I don’t want to attach my happiness to it. I still think about going to school, to study psychology or art history. I couldn’t do it now, of course. I think it’s a matter of the grass is always greener… (pauses) Not that I don’t think that the grass I’m on right now is completely green. It is.”
On focusing on the more tangible side effects of her success: “From this point on,” she says, “it’s just about looking at all these new opportunities. It’s cool to be able to try a whole bunch of things.”
On what to expect of her post-Juno career: “People expect me to do some kind of gritty look-at-me-I’m-such-an-actor thing, but that would have felt contrived.”
Starting this month, two films that Ellen, 21, shot before Juno are coming out: Smart People, in which she stars opposite Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker as an “arrogant, b***** Young Republican,” and the drama The Tracey Fragments.
Via buzznet.com
Juno actress Ellen Page has dropped out of the star role in a horror movie due to scheduling problems, according to industry reports.
Page, who was nominated for best actress at the Oscars, is unable to appear in Drag Me to Hell after its start date was moved, Variety said.
Some films are being rescheduled to avoid possible strike action by actors.
The trade paper added that Page had signed up to a number of other projects since her profile was raised by Juno.
New contracts
The production companies responsible for Drag Me to Hell, directed by Sam Raimi, told Variety: "We were racing to start production so that we could accommodate Ellen's schedule.
"But like so many other productions trying to start before the potential Screen Actors Guild strike date, this one needed more time, and we had to push back the start of production."
Stars including George Clooney and Meryl Streep recently urged Screen Actors Guild leaders to start negotiations for new contracts in a bid to avert industrial action.
Current contracts are due to expire on 30 June.
Page will next be seen in Smart People, starring alongside Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker, which is due for release in the US next month.
Via bbc.co.uk
