Big Budget adaptation of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL being Developed
Another adaptation of Baroness Orczy's classic novel The Scarlet Pimpernel is currently in the works at UK's Fairbanks Productions, from Dominick Fairbanks, the great grandson and grandson of Hollywood legends Douglas Fairbanks and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The film has a budget of $120 million dollars. Executive producer on the film, James Black, had this to say in a statement,
We want to try and do to the story of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' what Guy Ritchie did to 'Sherlock Holmes' [for Warner Bros].
The film is being developed by cult British writer and director Michael Armstrong, and it will star British actor Neil Jackson (Quantum of Solace).
They are planning on shooting the film late next year, "somewhere in Eastern Europe," according to Black, with a host of "high profile cameos" in the movie.
Here's a description of the story:
During the French Revolution in late 18th century France, fifteen to forty thousand people lost their lives under the guillotine. Many others escaped. The Scarlet Pimpernel is the story of an Englishman who takes it upon himself to save at least a few from sure death under the blade of 'The Terror'.
Of course, the Scarlet Pimpernel is a pseudonym, and the book’s appeal lies in the unveiling of this gentleman’s identity.
The narrative is spun around Margeurite, trendsetter of the English court, who is estranged from her husband Sir Percy Blakeney and fantasises about the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel. Little does she know how close to her he operates and how realizable her dreams are.
When her brother Armand, a former sympathizer of the Revolution, is in danger of being caught and sentenced to death by the Republicans, Margeurite finds herself rushing into the hands of Chauvelin, the scheming foreign minister of the new Republic. Her brief is to help Chauvelin find out who the Scarlet Pimpernel is.
When the truth lies revealed, Margeurite has no choice but to charge into the turmoil in Paris to help prevent her life from collapsing.
Baroness Orczy’s Scarlet Pimpernel is swashbuckling jingoism at its best