Ellen Page has signed on to play Jane Eyre in a BBC adaptation of the classic novel by Charlotte Bronte. First published in 1847 to great critical and popular success, it has been brought to the screen numerous times including mini-series previously produced by the BBC in 1973, 1983 and 2006 and the latest film version in 1996. Joan Fontaine, Charlotte Gainsbourgh and Ruth Wilson have played the spirited heroine over the years.

With Jane Eyre, Page will be moving from a variety of unconventional teenage roles in indie flicks to something which is probably a lot more mainstream. At least, as mainstream as a period literary drama can get. The Gothic romance tells the story of orphan Jane, who goes through a difficult childhood and later works as a governess at a manor. She falls in love with her employer Edward Rochester. But he has a dark secret of his own. It will be interesting to see how she interprets the character. A good showing would further cement her formidable reputation as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. BBC films has not chosen a director for the movie yet. The shooting is scheduled to begin in the fall.

Ellen Page got noticed with her role in Hard Candy, where she plays a 14-year old who gets back at a possible pedophile. But it was her smart, quirky portrayal of the pregnant 16-year old Juno which won her universal critical and popular acclaim. An Oscar nomination for best actress was just the icing on the cake. But she hasn’t been resting on her laurels. Around the same time, she appeared in the controversial movie, An American Crime based on the real-life torture and murder of Sylvia Likens. It premiered at Sundance’07. Page also starred in the experimental film, The Tracey Fragments, shown at the Toronto Film fest. Her last release was the comedy Smart People from Sundance’08, which received a decidedly mixed reception. Currently she is working on Jack and Diane, where she rejoins her Juno co-star Olivia Thrilby. She is also attached to the thriller Peacock, starring opposite Cillian Murphy and Susan Sarandon and Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, Whip it!.

(Source: Hollywood Reporter)

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