There’s something very alluring to the idea of a dystopian society. We have seen our fair share of these failed, dark and grim futures in movies, books and video games. But it goes without saying that the 1984 book by George Orwell is a strong archetype for the concept of dystopia nowadays. Sony Pictures is interested in making a new version of 1984 with Bourne franchise director Paul Greengrass at the helm. Producing the movie will be Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men) and Gina Rosenblum with Michael De Luca overseeing on behalf of Sony. The screenplay of 1984 will be written by Finding Neverland author James Graham.
George Orwell’s 1984 has Winston Smith as the protagonist, a haunted man that is torn apart by his life and by his job of rewriting history in order to suit the Party and Big Brother, the supreme leader of society. His life is turned upside down when he meets a woman named Julia with which he falls in love with, a terrible crime in this dystopia. 1984 is a heavy book full of symbolism and meaning regarding nationalism and censorship. Paul Greengrass and Scott Rudin have joined together in another recent hit that is the Oscar Nominated Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks. They are also working together on Memphis for MLK so there is obviously a positive chemistry going on between the two.
Another movie version of 1984 was released, funnily enough, in 1984 and featured John Hurt as Winston Smith. The movie was directed by Michael Radford the man that would direct The Merchants of Venice. Considering Paul Greengrass’s directorial experience especially his recent outing with Captain Phillips, curiosity is very much alive as to see how 1984 will be adapted to fit nowadays expectations. Thankfully the themes that 1984 explored in the book are still very much alive in today’s society but it is truly hard to get the masses thinking and 1984 has the power to pull that off. Before all this however Greengrass will re-team with Matt Damon to film the latest installment in the Bourne Identity. Because the movie is in early development and things are likely to change, no release date has been made available.