LOS ANGELES, Feb 16 — British actor Dev Patel has accepted the title role in an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1849 story about a child raised in poverty who grew up to become a famous author.
The Personal History of David Copperfield has often been referred to as a fictionalised retelling of Charles Dickens’ own life or, at least, aspects of it.
It recounts the life story of a child born into poverty and his contrasting fortunes experienced in different family homes, school systems, careers, and marriages.
Armando Iannucci is directing the adaptation of David Copperfield, per an announcement made through Variety.
He’ll be working from a script he wrote with collaborator Simon Blackwell — both were previously involved with political comedies In the Loop, The Thick of It, and Veep in various capacities.
It’s Iannucci’s next project after historical send-up The Death of Stalin and his third feature film after directing In the Loop and numerous TV show episodes.
Patel makes a return to acting after an Oscar-nominated turn in true-life story Lion and then a directorial debut with the Sundance Film Festival’s short film premiere Home Shopper.
He could next be seen in historical drama Hotel Mumbai opposite Armie Hammer, Jason Isaacs and Nazanin Boniadi, though the Weinstein Company project is awaiting a definite 2018 release date.
Production on The Personal History of David Copperfield is due to begin in the UK this June, with FilmNation Entertainment bringing the project to the Berlin Film Festival. — AFP-Relaxnews
