Fresh from her historic Oscar win for Nomadland, visionary director Chloe Zhao is embarking on her next prestigious project. She is attached to direct a big-screen adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's celebrated novel, Hamnet, for Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners.
The film will bring to life the poignant and critically acclaimed story that reimagines the life of William Shakespeare's family, centred on the heartbreaking death of his only son, Hamnet, and its profound impact on his marriage to Agnes (Anne Hathaway).
In a thrilling piece of casting news, acclaimed Irish actress Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter, Men) is in negotiations to take on a leading role in the production. Her potential involvement has already generated significant buzz within the industry.
The project is a major international co-production, developed by the UK's Hera Pictures in collaboration with Hoorae Films, the company founded by actor and producer Riz Ahmed. The talented screenwriter Mei Ling Williams is adapting O'Farrell's novel for the screen.
While the deal is still being finalised, Zhao's attachment signals a significant commitment to producing a high-calibre, awards-worthy film. The production is expected to film on location in both the UK and Ireland, bringing the rich, historical setting to life for a global audience.
Hamnet, which won the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction in 2020, has been a global publishing phenomenon, captivating readers with its emotional depth and lyrical storytelling. This adaptation is poised to be one of the most anticipated literary-to-film projects in coming years.
