A new version of Romeo and Juliet is set to be developed after a highly competitive auction, with a renowned horror director at the helm.
The 430-year-old play by William Shakespeare, which tells the story of two lovers from feuding families in Verona, has seen numerous screen adaptations. Notable among these are Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and Baz Luhrmann’s contemporary version starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
Focus Features has emerged victorious in a fierce bidding battle involving major studios like Warner Bros., Sony, and A24, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The company has secured Robert Eggers to direct and produce the film. While the casting has yet to be announced, the film will feature dialogue in Old English.
Eggers, known for his contributions to the horror and fantasy genres with films like The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman, and Nosferatu, is making a return to Focus Features, which distributed some of his recent works. He has also directed short films such as Hansel and Gretel, The Tell-Tale Heart, and Brothers. His upcoming film, Werwulf, featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Willem Dafoe, is set to release on Christmas Day.
Eggers’ feature films have consistently received high praise from critics, with ratings ranging from 85% to 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. They have also been recognized with various awards and nominations from critics’ associations. For instance, The Lighthouse was nominated for Best Cinematography at the Oscars, The Northman won Best Thriller Film at the Saturn Awards, and Nosferatu not only garnered four Oscar nominations but also made $181.9 million at the box office, making it Eggers’ highest-grossing film to date.
With the new Romeo and Juliet, Eggers is venturing into a predominantly romantic storyline, a departure from his usual genre. The tale of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers has inspired more than just the films by Zeffirelli and Luhrmann; it has also been adapted into the musical West Side Story, which has seen several iterations on both stage and screen, including Steven Spielberg’s recent film in 2021.
The musical & Juliet on Broadway and West End offers a creative twist on the classic story by changing Juliet’s fate and features modern pop songs from artists like the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, and *NSYNC. The show is set to close in early 2027.
As Eggers takes on the challenge of reimagining Romeo and Juliet for the screen, details about the release date remain under wraps, with the project still in its early stages of development.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
