Fox Searchlight Pictures has announced that Thomas Vinterberg’s Far From the Madding Crowd has begun principal photography in the UK today, September 16th. The film stars Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby, Drive), Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone, Bullhead), Michael Sheen (Midnight in Paris, Frost/Nixon), Tom Sturridge (On the Road, Pirate Radio) and Juno Temple (The Dark Knight Rises, Killer Joe). The script was written by David Nicholls, author and screenwriter of One Day and Starter for Ten. Allon Reich and Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films are producing with Christine Langan of BBC Films executive producing. The film will shoot on location in Dorset, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London.
“I am excited to be working with DNA, Fox Searchlight and this talented cast and crew on ‘Far From the Madding Crowd.’ It is a great privilege to bring such a wonderful piece of very English literature to the screen,” says Vinterberg.
“‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ is one of the most enduring and captivating stories in English literature. David Nicholls’ script beautifully captures the heart of Hardy’s original and we are thrilled to be bringing it to the big screen with Thomas Vinterberg. It is very exciting to be working with Carey Mulligan again, as well as an exceptional cast and crew all round,” said Macdonald and Reich.
“David Nicholls’ smart and compelling reworking of Hardy’s classic has found its ideal counterpart in the hugely talented Thomas Vinterberg. The incomparable Carey Mulligan – the perfect Bathsheba – sits at the heart of a mouth-watering cast who will do justice to this rich and irresistible tale,” said Langan.
Claudia Lewis, Fox Searchlight Pictures President of Production states: “We are always thrilled to partner with our frequent collaborators at DNA and welcome the chance to work with the talented Thomas Vinterberg. We’re honored that he will bring his vision to this romantic and enduring literary classic, especially with such an extraordinary cast.”
Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, Far From the Madding Crowd is the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her fetching willfulness; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor. This timeless story of Bathshebas choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance.
Joining Vinterberg on the film are director of photography Charlotte Bruus Christensen, who collaborated with him on The Hunt and Submarino, production designer Kave Quinn (Trainspotting, The Woman in Black), BAFTA Award winner and four times Academy Award nominated costume designer Janet Patterson (The Piano, Bright Star), BAFTA award winner hair and make-up designer Sian Grigg (Ex Machina, Never Let Me Go), and Academy Award winning editor Claire Simpson (The Constant Gardener, Platoon).
Fox Searchlight Pictures Director of Production Richard Gold and Katie Goodson-Thomas from Ingenious will oversee the project.
