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An interesting casting line up has been arranged for the new big screen adaptation of The Tempest. The film will include both Oscar winning high breeds and some new comers as well. The film will be an adaptation of the gender defying Shakespeare tale.

Although the play centers on Prospero, an exiled duke turned sorcerer, Taymor, who likes an experimental approach to her stage and film projects. She has rechristened the lead character Prospera so that Mirren can take on the role.

Mirren will be ably surrounded by Jeremy Irons, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand, Alfred Molina, Ben Wishaw and Felicity Jones. Geoffrey Rush is in negotiations to join the cast of the film.

The film will be starting its pre production early in November in Hawai. Miramax has acquired the rights to all English speaking territories; Icon is handling foreign sales.

The famous play mixes romance with fraternal politics and the supernatural. As revised for the screen, it will center on Prospera, her daughter Miranda and a shipwrecked crew full of Prospera’s enemies.

The islands other inhabitants will include Hounsou as the deformed slave Caliban and Wishaw as the airy spirit Ariel.

On the ship are rising comedy star Brand, playing Trinculo, a jester; Irons, as Alonso, the King of Naples; and Molina as the drunken butler Stephano. Rush would play Gonzalo, a royal adviser and old ally of Prospera’s.

The cast includes a lot of Oscar winner including Helen Mirren who won the best actress for the Queen while Irons took home the best actor trophy for Reversal of Fortune and Rush got the nod for Shine. All three are repped by CAA.

The Tempest will be the director’s second outing into the Shakespearean world after Titus.