Late last year, legendary British production company Hammer Films joined forces with Network Distributing to form Hammer Studios Ltd. with the goal of both restoring its existing library of films and developing new ones. This week, Variety reports that Hammer Studios has picked up the UK rights to Doctor Jekyll, an upcoming film from B Good Picture Company that will star Eddie Izzard in the title role.
Written by Dan Kelly-Mulhern and directed by Joe Stephenson, Doctor Jekyll is a modern interpretation of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1886 novella, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. In the film, Dr Nina Jekyll (Izzard) is a recluse who finds friendship with her newly hired help, Rob (Scott Chambers). Together, they must work to prevent Hyde from destroying her life.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Joe and his superlative cast and crew on ‘Doctor Jekyll,’” Tim Beddows, Hammer Studios’ managing director, said in a statement. “There can be few subjects more apt to launch Hammer Studios and the production has everything you’d expect of a modern Hammer film.”
Hammer is no stranger to Stevenson’s novella, having adapted it three times during the studios’ heyday. These adaptations include 1959’s comedic The Ugly Duckling, 1960’s The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll, and 1971’s Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde.
Words: Samantha McLaren (@themeatispeople)
