Bronte Blasphemy
Casting of Biopic Spurs Outrage in Cannes
Williams as Emily; Wood as Anne; Howard as Charlotte







From the Cannes Film Festival comes the news that British director Charles Sturridge (Brideshead Revisited) plans a biopic of the Bronte sisters, which come to think of it, is long overdue. But Sturridge has stirred up horror in the film community with his casting. Oscar-winner Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain) will play Charlotte, author of Jane Eyre and Villette; Bryce Dallas Howard (Lady in the Water, Spiderman 3) will play Emily, author of Wuthering Heights; and Evan Rachel Wood (Running with Scissors) will play Anne, author of The Tenant of Wildfeld Hall. Besides the fact that the actresses are all American, the Brits (and some Yanks too) fear what such lives of genius will become in the hands of three actresses who have yet to play in a period film, never mind speak with the particular Yorkshire accent. Just to keep things interesting, the broodingly intense Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Matchpoint) will play their brother, Branwell Bronte, reports IMDB.
The Daily Telegraph's literary editor Michael Prodger wrote, "There must be lots of talented Yorkshire actresses who could play the three Brontes. It does seem a slightly bizarre choice." The film, already in production will be in theaters in 2009.

The Bronte Sisters (above) in a portrait

by their brother Branwell circa 1834..

L to R : Anne, Emily and Charlotte