Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Mister Pip in safe hands to come to the big screen

The Kiwi director behind blockbusters like Shrek and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is set to turn his cinematic skills on a New Zealand best selling book.

Andrew Adamson has written the screenplay and will direct the movie adaptation of Lloyd Jones' booker shortlisted novel "Mister Pip". The film is set in Papua New Guinea where Adamson spent much of his teenage years growing up.

Shooting will take place in Australia although there is no word yet on when this is likely to begin or any casting decisions.

I'm really pleased at the decision to entrust this book to Andrew Adamson - because it's a New Zealand novel now being brought to the big screen by another Kiwi, and because Adamson will bring an understanding and a sympathy for the setting that I doubt other directors could.

And while I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I will be curious to see how the movie turns out.

Do you have any suggestions for casting for the novel? Any Hollywood big shots or relative unknowns you think would suit the parts of Mr Watts and young Matilda?

1 comment:

ybennett said...

Definitely Geoffrey Rush for Mr Pip- it's almost as though the character was written for him.