Source: thr.com

Colin Firth has signed on to star opposite Ben Barnes in “Dorian Gray,” the retelling of the Oscar Wilde classic being directed by Oliver Parker.

Based on “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” the story centers on Gray (Barnes), a young man who becomes the subject of a painting. As the man descends into a hedonistic lifestyle, the portrait begins to age and morph, but he doesn’t.

Firth will play Lord Henry Wotton, the aristocrat who corrupts Gray with his worldview. (He is sometimes called Harry in the novel.)

Ealing Studios is behind the adaptation, which is being produced by Barnaby Thompson. At May’s Festival de Cannes, Thompson said Parker plans to make a visceral, dark horror story and said the themes of stardom are as relevant as ever.

The movie began shooting this week.

Source: Variety

Ealing Studios Intl. is dusting off its fishnet stockings and making a sequel to hit Brit laffer “St. Trinians.”

“St. Trinians 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold” will once again be helmed by Oliver Parker and studio topper Barnaby Thompson.

Announcement was made as part of Ealing’s unveiling of its international slate.

Other projects include Oliver Parker’s Oscar Wilde adaptation “Dorian Gray” and Amma Asante’s “Where Hands Touch.”

The sequel to “St. Trinians” will likely re-team most of the original’s cast, with lensing set to start in January next year.

The next installment of the Brit schoolgirl romp finds the mischief-making heroines set off on a treasure hunt after they discover headmistress Miss Fritton, played by Rupert Everett in drag, is related to pirates.

“It would be good with ‘St. Trinians’ to get the old gang back in,” studio topper Barnaby Thompson told Variety. “With ‘Dorian Gray’ the idea is to give it a sexy, contemporary feel but still doing it in period.”

Ben Barnes (“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”) plays the lead role with principal photography set to begin July 28.

(more…)