Do we need another take on Romeo & Juliet? The film world never gets tired of it, whether it's Gnomeo & Juliet or a new version Shakespeare's original which is currently in production starring Hailee Steinfeld and Ed Westwick.
It seems we're getting another one as well, whether we want it or not, as Deadline reports that the cast is coming together for The Locals, which 'puts a contemporary spin on the Romeo and Juliet tale by injecting a Jewish/Italian twist.' So does that mean Jews and Italians hate one another and can only be reconciled if two young people from either side fall in love? But then, I suppose it worked for white working-class people and Puerto Ricans in West Side Story.
Vera Farmiga, Alan Arkin and Shirley MacLaine are all in talks for the movie, although there's no info on exactly what roles they'll be taking (we're presuming Arkin and MacLaine aren't the Romeo and Juliet figures). Sue Kramer will write and directing, with shooting starting later this autumn in New York.