Game Of Thrones star lands role in film about Frankenstein writer
GAME Of Thrones star Kit Harington will appear in a new film about the life of Frankenstein writer Mary Shelley.
The 35-year-old will play the Monster alongside rising Danish actress Clara Rugaard, 24, in the lead role of English Gothic novelist Shelley, who lived between 1797 and 1851.
Irish actor Ferdia Walsh-peelo will play her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and Sebastian De Souza will play poet Lord Byron.
Further cast will be announced in due course.
The film, titled Mary’s Monster, is described as a “high-concept rock ‘n’ roll take” on Shelley’s mental struggle to write her classic novel.
It will combine couture fashion with gothic horror and tell the 19th-century tale through a modern lens using “contemporary music, spoken word, sex, drugs and Baroque ‘n’ Roll”.
Shooting is scheduled to begin in the UK in August.
Bafta award-winner Farren Blackburn will direct with a script by Deborah Baxtrom and Stephen Hallett.
Harington, best known for playing Jon Snow in HBO epic Game Of Thrones, said: “Mary’s Monster is a brilliantly original and fascinating script and I’m relishing the idea of depicting the unique part of the Monster.
“An embodiment of Mary Shelley’s psyche. I’m excited by Farren’s vision and passion for the project.”
Rugaard said: “I am incredibly honoured to jump on board this project and be a part of telling the story of such an influential and revolutionary woman.
“I’m beyond excited to be bringing this celebrated female voice to life and to further delve into the world and psyche of Mary Shelley.”
Marius de Vries, whose credits include La La Land, Coda and
Moulin Rouge, will curate the soundtrack as the film’s executive music producer.
Blackburn said:
“Mary’s Monster is a film about female voice, mental health, gender politics and a disenfranchised youth.
“For me, no character in history has ever captured the zeitgeist quite like Mary Shelley and Mary’s Monster is the defining period film for the modern YA generation.
“Films this unique and original don’t come along too often and I’m beyond excited to be at the helm.”