Based on the lasted bit of casting news for the Carlo Carlei directed Romeo and Juliet adaptation, it looks as though the film has been mining some of premium cable's talent, with Homeland’s Damian Lewis (also known for his role in HBO’s Band of Brothers), Californication’s Natascha McElhone, and Christian Cooke of Starz’ upcoming drama Magic City set to join the film, among others.
The Hollywood Reporter posted the news, stating that British actors Lewis, McElhone and Cooke are among the cast additions for the next big adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Lewis, who’s hot off the (Golden Globe winning) first season of Showtime’s Homeland, is set to play Lord Capulet. Natascha McElhone, who plays the love of Hank Moody’s life in Californication, will play Lady Capulet. Set to play Romeo’s friend (and future caster of plagues) Mercutio is Christian Cooke, who is among the cast of Starz’ upcoming new drama Magic City.
Also cast in the film is Stellan Skarsgard (Good Will Hunting, Thor), playing the Prince of Verona. Lesley Manville (Cranford) will play The Nurse. And Tomas Arana and Laura Morante will play Lord and Lady Montague respectively. While Arana is credited for the part of “Wayne’s Lawyer” in the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises, it looks like most of Morante’s work is in film and television in her home country of Italy.
?The lengthy list of cast additions is tacked on to those already set to star in the film, including Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth as the title characters, Ed Westwick as Tybalt, and Paul Giamatti, who’s set to play Friar Laurence.
This adaptation comes well over a decade after Baz Luhrmann’s colorful adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved works. The 1996 film starred Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as Claire Danes, who just so happens to star in Homeland with Damian Lewis.
The film began production in Italy ten days ago.
