Quantcast
 

Ellen Page to Play Jane Eyre in BBC's Big Screen Adaptation

Wed, 05/07/2008 - 5:30am by BuzzSugar
1,536 Views - 23 comments


This news totally makes my day already: Ellen Page has been cast as Jane Eyre in the big screen adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's beloved novel. Variety has more:

Alison Owen of Ruby Films, who most recently produced The Other Boleyn Girl, is working with BBC Films to develop the new adaptation of Bronte's classic 19th century romance. It's the story of a mousy governess who softens the heart of her saturnine employer Mr. Rochester, only to discover that he's hiding a terrible secret.

Though Page's name seems to now be synonymous with "sass-talking pregnant teen," I could actually see her doing well in this role. Jane Eyre is even more precious to me than Wuthering Heights (which is also getting a big screen makeover and will star Natalie Portman) and it's important that the person playing Jane seems smart and strong. I know she's not a British actress and will have to adopt an accent, but still I say: Hooray for Ellen Page!

What do you think about this casting news? Right on, or not so much?

Source and source

View Photos: Ellen Page
on Yahoo!

Related Buzz Stories

Related Network Stories


 
 
 

23 Comments Add a Comment

  • fleurfairy's picture
    fleurfairy
    1

    Are you kidding me?! BBC just did a spectacular adaptation of Jane Eyre in 2006 with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens!! And Ellen Page is American. What is their reasoning?

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • duck duck goose's picture
    duck duck goose
    3

    I'm excited to follow this as it develops.

    I cherish this character and story, and I feel very protective of them (especially Jane). Working this project is tantamount to a stewardship over the trust and considerable expectations of those of us who feel so connected to this masterpiece.

    The novel is such a significant work, I only hope they have worthy vision and unassailable integrity in every aspect.

    The accent obstacle is already working my little nerves. But I have faith that this has potential to be marvelous.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Erikalou's picture
    Erikalou
    4

    Ditto Fleurfairy! The Ruth Wilson/Toby Stephens version was amazing! They already gave the story a Hollywood sexed up makeover in that version... what else is there to do? Between that fantastic masterpiece theatre adaptation and the pretty decent Franco Zeffirelli 1996 adaptation, I don't see much room for newness.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • saritabonita's picture
    saritabonita
    5

    i think ellen pg will be great. she´s a smart girl and knows what she got into. i doubt that we´ll be dissappointed.... at least NOT by her acting Smiling

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • jspeed's picture
    jspeed
    6

    ugh, why does everything "classic" have to be remade ever two years? They usually are not an improvement over what's been done beofre (muchelss reading the book) - case in point, the recent Jane Austen adaptations.

    I haven't seen the 2006 Toby Stephens/Ruth Wilson Jane Eyre but I've heard so many great things about it. It's on my Netflix list now!

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Mädchen's picture
    Mädchen
    7

    I agree with others here, I don't see any need for a new adaptation. The 2006 BBC one was fantastic!

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Linda McP's picture
    Linda McP
    8

    Ellen Page is a smart young actress; she should do well with this role. Like others, though, I'm not sure that the remake is necessary, but if it is, I'm all for seeing her tackle this role.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • CupcakeGal10's picture
    CupcakeGal10
    9

    duck duck goose, I totally agree with you. This is my favorite book of all time, and I've never really seen an adaptation that really satisfies me. Of course, just like most film adaptations, I don't think any screen play will ever really do justice to the book.

    The only thing that drives me a little crazy is that Jane is supposed to be plain-looking and average- not ugly, but not a super-model either. I always feel that directors throw out Bronte's true intentions for the characters by casting "beautiful people" for the roles. I'm excited to see how Page adapts Jane's characer- she's very pretty, but she also has the unassuming, girl-next-door look that could really make for an effective Jane Eyre.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • freegracefrom's picture
    freegracefrom
    10

    This is one of my favorite books ever and I only read it for the first time a week or so ago! (For the record, I'll take a Mr. Rochester over a Mr. Darcy anyday.)

    I roll my eyes everytime I hear about yet another 'Wuthering Heights' remake, but I don't think I'll ever get tired of the 'Jane Eyre' story. I watched the BBC version of it from the 80's just this past week, but with all of the great recommendations on Netflix (and on here!) of the 2006 BBC adaption... I think I'll be watching that one next!

    However, I think this is one of those books that will never quite feel right on the screen to me. So many of Jane's actions don't quite make sense, unless you hear the thoughts that she's having during said actions. Nevertheless, I'm interested in how Ellen Page will do with this role. I think she certainly looks like a Jane Eyre, at least.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • ElizabethRae's picture
    ElizabethRae
    11

    This will be interesting. She always seems (to me) to play the same character. I would love to see her outside of that though.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • fireyelectra's picture
    fireyelectra
    12

    Unless Ellen Page can learn to not sound like she does in every other role she has played, which is this gravelly, nasily unpleasant tenor, this will not be good.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • dukegirl's picture
    dukegirl
    14

    I am looking forward to seeing what Ellen Paige does with Jane Eyre. Given a good script, I am betting that she will do justice to Charlotte Bronte. To date, my most favorite screen Jane Eyre is Charlotte Gainsbourg.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Jenny86's picture
    Jenny86
    15

    I don't know about this. Even if she was nominated for an Oscar, I still don't think she can pull it off. I'm sure she's going to sound like Madonna with the accent.

    13 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • rivrchild's picture
    rivrchild
    16

    Samantha Morton has been my favorite Jane Eyre so far. It's Mr. Rochester that they've never gotten right (IMO) though I haven't seen this Ruth Wilson/Toby Stephens version yet.

    I think Ellen Page would be wonderful. I get so sick of people complaining when they cast non-British actors in British films or vice versa. Makes no difference to me as long as they are believable. What I want to know is who will they cast as Mr. Rochester??? I'm on the edge of my seat with this. I sincerely hope they consider Joaquin Phoenix. He's been my Mr. Rochester since I first read Jane Eyre in high school.

    And what about his crazy wife in the attic? I forget her name now ... Helena Bonham Carter could pull that off just as soon as she's done filming Harry Potter. They wouldn't even have to change her costume/makeup!

    13 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • sugarysweet's picture
    sugarysweet
    18

    I couldn't finish the book...I kept thinking it was going to get better but it didn't.

    13 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • ktseyf's picture
    ktseyf
    19

    This is very intriguing.. I just read Jane Eyre this year, so can't wait to see Ellen's/the director's take. She's a very talented actress; I think she may be able to pull it off!

    13 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • californiagirlx7's picture
    californiagirlx7
    21

    NO NO NO NO!!! I love Jane Eyre and she doesn't fit the description in my head at all except that she has brown hair (and anyone could dye their hair for the part). I just see a more feminine and British woman playing this role. I'm interested to see who will play Mr. Rochester.

    13 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • ncstategirl's picture
    ncstategirl
    22

    This is my all time favorite book and I just don't see Ellen Page as Jane. Sure she is around the right age to play her, but I just don't know if she can pull it off. Samantha Morton has been my favorite Jane so far, with Ciaran Hinds as her Rochester. It will be interesting to see who will play his role....

    This casting scares me, but I hope she can pull it off!

    13 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • lily8206's picture
    lily8206
    23

    Very interesting choice!
    I look forward to seeing Ellen do something different and show just how big her acting range is!

    13 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment

Leave a Comment

To post comments, please sign in or register.



 
 
 
 
 
 












©1976-2008