Playwrights everywhere must be really ticked off at old Bill Shakespeare. Not only has his legacy survived centuries after his death, but filmmakers keep coming back to his work time and again while other potential adaptations linger unloved in drawers or in small theatres. And another Bard piece is headed to screens, with Joel Coen looking to pair Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in a Macbeth movie.
There have been so many adaptations of this one that we wrote a whole feature on it around the time that Justin Kurzel's version, starring Michael Fassbender, was on the way.
For the benefit of the three people and the Shakespeare-shy ferret named Gerald who might not know the plot, The Scottish Play (just in case anyone is reading this in a theatre) tells the bloody, tragic tale of a Scottish lord who is convinced by three witches that he'll end up ruling the country. With the help of his ambitious wife, he puts morals aside and seizes the crown. Which is when things start to unravel for both of them...
This would make a rare solo excursion behind the camera for Coen, and he's also been at work on the adaptation himself. This cast would certainly get it made, and while he can count on McDormand (they've been married since 1984 and won Oscars for their work), Washington is still figuring out a deal. Still, if it comes together, this could be a fascinating interpretation of the story.
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