Acclaimed filmmaker Chloe Zhao’s latest project, Hamnet, is poised to make a significant mark on the upcoming awards season. Focus Features has officially slated the Shakespeare-era historical drama for a limited theatrical release on November 27, with a nationwide expansion planned for December 12.
Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel — which has sold over two million copies worldwide — Hamnet offers a fictionalized account of William Shakespeare’s only son, who died young, and the emotional love story that reportedly inspired the creation of Hamlet.
The film stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife, Agnes. They are joined by Joe Alwyn and Jacobi Jupe, rounding out a compelling ensemble cast. The project also boasts powerhouse producers Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, with Zhao co-writing the screenplay alongside O’Farrell.
Zhao, best known for Nomadland, Eternals, The Rider, and Songs My Brothers Taught Me, made history in 2020 as the second woman to win an Oscar for Best Director.
The release of Hamnet will see it go head-to-head with major contenders, including Pixar’s Zootopia 2 on its opening day, as well as James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash and Paramount’s SpongeBob: Search for SquarePants in December.
Meanwhile, the lead stars have exciting projects lined up: Jessie Buckley will appear in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! opposite Christian Bale, while Paul Mescal is set to portray Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopic.
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