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'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell' screenplay complete
Christopher Hampton has written an adaptation of Susanna Clarke's best-selling novel.
Nov 9 2005
Christopher Hampton, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of 'Dangerous Liaisons', has finally finished the first draft of his screen adaptation of Susanna Clarke's epic fantasy novel 'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell'.
'It took a fair amount of time to work out some way to encapsulate that enormous book in a film of sensible length,' he said. 'But it was lots of fun – and very unlike anything I have ever done before.'
The story unfolds at a time when England is struggling to cope with the hardships brought on by the Napoleonic Wars and practical magic has been all but forgotten – that is until magicians Strange and Norrell appear on the scene and begin to stir up ancient and uncontrollable powers.
The film is due to go into production next year, and will be distributed by New Line Cinema, though no cast or director has been decided on as yet.
However, main character Strange is a good-looking ginger chap, so the choice of Hollywood actors is somewhat narrow. Eric Stoltz perhaps?
User comments on this story
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- Patty W said...
- How about David Bowie as the gentleman with thistle down hair? Posted on Feb 11 2007 05:03
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- Jan Bidner said...
- Adrien Brody! I like that! What an appealing suggestion. He could be perfect... But would he be able to add that dangerously unpredictible aura that is necessary to the character? He's a bit thin though, don't you think? Sean Bean is too much of an underdog character I think. To me it's obvious that the Strange-charcter has to be a bit like Gladstone Gander in the beggining, and then later on it of course gets darker. I'm not sure a guy like Sean Bean would be able to pull that off! Posted on Jan 29 2007 08:15
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- Pat said...
- I love Johnny Depp, but I don't think he fits this book. I like Sean Bean for Strange and Ian Holm for Norrel. Posted on Jan 26 2007 14:05
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- coleen said...
- Adrien Brody would be perfect for Strange. He looks exactly like the illustrations of Strange in the book. Posted on Jan 24 2007 17:44
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- Jan Bidner said...
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Sometimes to big names come in the way of the movie and story to be told. Therefore, even though tempting, I think names as Johnny Depp or Jude Law are wrong for this movie. They would make it a Jude-Law-movie or a Johnny-Depp-movie. How about a charismatic newcomer as Strange? (Most important to not have a Tom Cruise or something like that, for that particular character - he has to be perfect and unstained).
Damien Lewis is the best suggestion so far I think. Posted on Jan 21 2007 17:09 - Report as inappropriate
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- Audrey said...
- Johnny Depp as the gentleman with the thistle down hair. Jude Law as Strange. Dustin Hoffman as Norrell. Posted on Jan 19 2007 19:24
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- Ani said...
- Christian bale is so the man for Jonathan strange. Sean connery is very suited for mr norrell I would LOVE to see heath ledger as the gentlemen with the thistle-down hair. Posted on Jan 16 2007 16:49
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- Mica said...
- Now I know many aren't gonna like this idea, but if they're going to get an American, I think Will Ferrell would be good as Strange. Just think about it, he has the spirit and that sort of queer look, and he would bring his own idosyncratic charm to the character. I would also like to see him in something serious. Just a thought. Posted on Jan 12 2007 22:39
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- Jan Bidner said...
- I would just love to see Ian Holm casted as Norrell Posted on Jan 10 2007 14:38
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- CrimsonKitty said...
- Why do I keep seeing Johnny Depp's name popping up? I absolutely adore him but there is no way that he could pull off Jonathan Strange, at least not the one of the book. Posted on Dec 22 2006 23:15
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- roarryan said...
- It must be Stephen Coogan for Strange! Posted on Nov 27 2006 22:27
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- Honeyplums said...
- Nefer is mostly right, bettany is who i imagined when i read the book, though lewis does seem like an even better choice. Fun to place charcters but maybe keep the whole thing a bit gritty with lesser known actors. Although Timothy Spall would be perfect. Posted on Nov 16 2006 14:50
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- Erkat said...
- Richard E Grant for Strange tbh. And Ian Holm for Norrell without a doubt imo. Posted on Oct 19 2006 14:55
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- Mims said...
- Jude Law should play Jonathan Strange. I'm not a fan of Jude outside of the theatre, but he's not a bad actor, and he's got the thin, foppish thing down. Posted on Aug 23 2006 03:05
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- Nefer said...
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Srange - yes maybe Damian Lewis
Norrel - Bob Hoskins ou Jim Broadbent
gentleman with thistle down hair - Gary Oldman
Stephen Black - David Oyelowo (check him out)
Arabella - Anna Friel or Natalie Portman
William Pole - Hugh Laurie
Lascelles - Colin Firth
Drawlight - Timothy Spall
Lady Pole - Kate Bosworth
Segundus - Ewan MacGregor
Vinculus - Alan Rickman
It would be nice to see them on the movie... Posted on Aug 10 2006 16:45 - Report as inappropriate
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