It seems fairly obvious why certain directors seem to be drawn readily to adaptation- a pre-existing narrative and brand awareness are an obvious commercial benefit- but what is less clear is why, especially the least artistically blessed, are so keen to release upon the big screen the finest works committed to the page. The only credible rationale appears to be vanity, as the history of cinema is replete with examples of directors from the enfeebled to the masterful being humbled by the novels of literatures behemoths. English director
Joe Wright, however, has made his name in cinema with his screen versions of Pride and Prejudice and Atonement; he may have bitten off more than he can chew with future project, the Leo Tolstoy epic
Anna Karenina. Currently promoting his new film Hanna-a mildly fantastical tale about a young girl (
Saorise Ronan) raised by her father to be an assassin- Wright was asked about his future project and dismissed concerns that the novel of over 800 pages might be to vast to be condensed into a single feature film.
Talking to about.com, he waxed lyrical about the script that has already been written by Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love):
Hes done an amazing script which involves Levins story as well as Annas story. Yeah, Tom Stoppard is just..also, hes so immersed in Russian history and culture and identity or lack of it.
Also, when asked about possible actresses for the role of Karenina, the implication was that he had in mind the occasionally wooden
Keira Knightly, with whom he worked on Pride and Prejudice and Atonement:
Not sure yet. Its fairly obvious, but I cant quite say. She hasnt signed on the line yet. Im loyal to my actors.
Despite perceived lack of range, Knightly may not be the worst choice in the world to play Karenina. Naturally photogenic, she has in the past played upper to upper middle class women rather well, and could be a likely fit for a number of the novels over-privileged protagonists. Wrights current film, Hanna, will be released in April through Focus and Sony Pictures and will star Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, who previously worked with the director on Atonement. Meanwhile, here's a new look at the Joe Wright directed and Keira Knightley starring Chanel commercial that is hot off the press and once again teams the director and his muse. The ad titled "Chanel Superwoman," will premiere Monday, March 21.