Robert Eggers sets his sights on Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'

Robert Eggers will direct a new 'Romeo and Juliet' adaptation for Focus Features after a competitive bidding war Robert Eggers sets his sights on Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' Robert Eggers is set to direct a new film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet for Focus Features, according to reports. The filmmaker is expected to direct and produce the project, which emerged from a bidding war involving Focus Features, A24, Sony and Warner Bros. The film is planned as Eggers' next production after his upcoming werewolf movie Werwulf. The new Romeo and Juliet adaptation will reportedly feature actors speaking in Olde English, reflecting Eggers' focus on historical detail and period authenticity. Further details about the cast and other producers have not yet been announced. Shakespeare's tragedy follows Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, two young lovers whose families are locked in a bitter feud in Verona, Italy. First written in the 1590s, the play has inspired numerous film adaptations, including Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version and Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. The deal for Eggers' adaptation is reportedly valued in the high tens of millions of dollars, covering filmmaker and talent fees as well as production costs. The project will reunite Eggers with Focus Features, which has worked with the filmmaker on several of his previous movies. The studio released The Northman and Nosferatu, while also handling international distribution for The Lighthouse. Eggers' next film, Werwulf, stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp, who previously appeared in Nosferatu. The horror film is scheduled for a Christmas Day theatrical release. The new Romeo and Juliet film will add another period-focused project to Eggers' filmography while offering a fresh interpretation of one of Shakespeare's best-known tragedies.