'The Beguiled' Remake News Update: Sofia Coppola To Remake With Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning
One of the critically acclaimed works of Clint Eastwood, "The Beguiled" is soon going to be remade with an ensemble cast.
As per reports, the film is being written, directed and produced by Academy Award winner Sofia Coppola. This 1971 drama is based on the novel "A Painted Devil" by Thomas P. Cullinan. She has also decided the star cast and it includes names like Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning. However, the male lead has not been finalized and a search is still on.
The remake is said to be a new take on the Civil War drama that did not do well at the box office despite a strong storyline and fine performances. It was discarded by the audience as it showed Eastwood in an emasculated role, who had always essayed macho roles. It was one of the five collaborations between Eastwood and director Don Siegel, who have given major hits together.
The film revolves around the story of a young soldier (Corporal John 'McBee' McBurney) who finds himself in an all-girls confederate school after one of the student locates him in an injured state. She takes him along with her to the school and thereafter, starts the intense drama of love, passion, jealousy and deceit.
After recovering, John starts charming the students and teachers who are enamored by his persona. And thus, begins the sordid game at the school that unravels the repressed and hidden side of the female characters. At the end, it becomes a question of his life and death, with the scorned women taking revenge on him.
In the remake, Nicole Kidman will play the role of Martha Farnsworth, the Headmistress of the school while Kirsten Dunst will be essaying the role of a teacher. Elle Fanning will play a student of the school.
Notably, Sofia has worked with Kirsten in "Virgin Suicides" and "Marie Antoinette", two cult classics that made the pair a hit. It remains to be seen whether they can create the magic this time around with a failed subject.
