Jane Eyre director Cary Fukunaga debuted his film-making talents in the 2009 film Sin Nombre, and now his adaptation of the classic Charlotte Brontë novel is hitting the big screen with stars Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska. We sat down with Cary to chat about lining up the two actors and the difficulties of putting an iconic story on the big screen. Also, let's face it — he's easy on the eyes. Check out our chat below.
Michael Fassbender and his Jane Eyre costar Mia Wasikowska posed for photos last night at the NYC premiere alongside their great-looking director, Cary Fukunaga — check out our chat with Cary about his first big screen project since 2009's Sin Nombre. The gang was in the Big Apple to promote their modern take on the classic Charlotte Brontë story, though Michael has also been busy shooting a new movie called Shame. He, Mia, and Cary were on the East Coast last month for their film's junket — stay turned for video from our chats! Michael even shared a bit about his love life during our talk, and his rumored girlfriend, Zoe Kravitz, turned out yesterday to show her support. Zoe and Michael met working on their upcoming X-Men: First Class, which seems like it's going to be awesome judging by the first trailer.
Forget Jane Austen, I'd choose a Brontë sister any day. And I'd choose Jane Eyre over Wuthering Heights every time. Jane Eyre has everything I want in a classic: an orphan, boarding school, a governess job at an empty Gothic mansion, stormy English weather, a crazy lady in the attic — and forbidden love.
Not only have I read it, but I am rereading before the movie. As much as we complain about spoilers, reading a book before seeing its movie seems more satisfying. Or, it can be more frustrating, depending on how well it's adapted. Regardless of whether you succeed or fail at your reading attempts, would you rather read the book before seeing the movie?
Back in Fall and Summer, I gave you reading lists filled with books that are being adapted into movies. To mark the Winter solstice and a new season, I'm giving you guys a brand-new list for your shelf with even more titles that you'll be seeing on the big screen. Cozy up with one of these books next to a warm fire — plus, you'll be able to claim that "the book was so much better" before everyone else.
At first glance, you might write off Jane Eyre as just another classic novel adapted for the big screen. It has all the requirements: romance, muted colors, a bullheaded heroine, Dame Judi Dench. But like Charlotte Brontë's literary work, the movie's preview has a dark spirit (and threatening music to boot). Boring period film this isn't. In fact, it's kind of spooky.
Mia Wasikowska stars as Jane, a young governess under the frosty Edward Rochester (Michael Fassbender). While in his employ, Jane experiences several mysterious occurrences in the house, giving the film its horror edge. If you've read the book, you know the source of the unexplained phenomena; if you haven't, perhaps you're better left surprised. Watch the trailer when you read more
Another flood of creative thinking, courtesy of Twitter; check out the hash tag #booksthatchangedmyworld and you'll see what I mean. Here, Twitter users far and wide are gushing about the books that impacted their lives, from predictable classics to the Bible to books about breastfeeding.
On her New Yorker blog today, Susan Orlean talks about how she randomly mentioned her love for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford on Twitter using the hash tag and was shocked to see the flood of tweets that followed. She's since published a full list, including one of mine: Jane Eyre.
So of course, I have to ask, what books changed your world? And don't forget to follow me on Twitter.
It's a good week for Hollywood actresses! Today comes the announcement of oodles of casting news in the works, as these famous ladies line up for big-screen parts.
Photo courtesy of The CW
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?
