Excitement is building for a film that Ralph Fiennes will create about Charles Dickens’s clandestine love affair.
The acclaimed actor is set to direct a cinematic portrayal of the 13-year relationship between the author and Ellen Ternan, affectionately referred to as Nelly by Dickens.
Fiennes has been in talks with several actresses to explore their potential portrayal of Nelly in The Invisible Woman, which draws inspiration from Claire Tomalin’s extensively researched best-seller.
Among those rumored to be on Fiennes’s radar are Imogen Poots, Abbie Cornish, and Felicity Jones. However, he is currently only meeting with them and has not yet offered any roles.
Carey Mulligan, who will soon appear in the exciting thriller Drive, is also included on the ‘list’, but she is set to collaborate with Baz Luhrmann on his film adaptation of The Great Gatsby alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, which may hinder her availability when Fiennes plans to shoot next spring or early summer.
There had been speculation regarding Fiennes taking on the role of the novelist himself while simultaneously directing the film, which features a screenplay by Abi Morgan. However, it appears he prefers to remain behind the camera for this project.
He previously starred in and directed the powerful adaptation of Coriolanus, which boasted remarkable performances from Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Chastain, Brian Cox, and James Nesbitt. Nonetheless, for The Invisible Woman, he will not make an on-screen appearance. Fiennes commenced early pre-production on the Ternan film prior to beginning rehearsals for The Tempest under director Trevor Nunn.
Upon the conclusion of The Tempest’s run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Fiennes plans to revisit Dickens — this time portraying Magwich in Mike Newell’s feature film adaptation of Great Expectations, which producers Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley are planning for late autumn.
Following that, he is set to feature in Bond 23.
Afterward, The Invisible Woman will be fully under his direction — although he will maintain communication over the coming months with producers Stewart Mackinnon, Gabrielle Tana, and BBC Films.
Starting today, audiences can watch Fiennes as Lord Voldemort in the spectacular conclusion of the Harry Potter saga, Deathly Hallows Part 2. Soon, he will portray a British PM in David Hare’s captivating BBC TV spy drama Page Eight, which includes a fashionably dressed Bill Nighy among its cast.
by Helena Bryanlith
