Disney announced plans to shoot a film adaptation based on Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel, Oliver Twist. The movie studio intends for this project to be a modern musical with songs of all genres. Thomas Kail, best-known as the director behind Broadway’s In the Heights and Hamilton, has signed on to take the helm.
Here’s more from The Hollywood Reporter: “Oliver Twist is one of Dickens’ most famous works and tells of an orphan boy who moves from a life as an exploited child laborer to being under the wings of Fagin, a leader of a gang of London pickpockets. Hardship, murders and secrets waiting to be revealed follow the boy. The popular story was already adapted by Disney as an animated movie, 1988’s Oliver and Company.”
According to The Wrap, Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz will collaborate to write the screenplay. Ice Cube will also take on an acting role and play Fagin. Click here to download a free digital copy of Dickens’ book. (via E! Online)