Hollywood has a bit of an odd relationship to period films at the moment, cancelling many, while putting others on the fast track, mostly those with a bit of action attached. Paul W.S Anderson is currently shooting his Three Musketeers flick, and now UK production company Fairbanks Productions has announced it’s planning a do-over of Baroness Emmuska Orczy’s classic tale, The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Period action tales have been popular ever since Sherlock Holmes struck it big, and Fairbanks is obviously hoping to cash in on that, planning a flick with a massive $120 million budget. THR has the news, saying that cult British writer and director Michael Armstrong takes the role of head of creative development. Perhaps most surprising though, it that with such big plans, the star announced for the film is Neil Jackson, a fairly little known known actor who’s had small roles in Quantum Of Solace and You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger. However as he was a physical trainer before becoming an actor, they’re obviously hoping he’s fit enough for plenty of derring-do.
Set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution, it’s almost an 18th century superhero tale, with Sir Percy Blakeney a wimpy British aristocrat by day and a dashing masked rogue who helps French nobles escape from Robespierres men at night.
In case your wondering, Fairbanks Productions is indeed linked to silent movie legend Douglas Fairbanks, as it’s run by his great grandson, Dominick. The Scarlet Pimpernel should start filming during the second hald of 2011.