film / tv / substack / social media / lists / web / celeb / pajiba love / misc / about / cbr
film / tv / substack / web / celeb

GettyImages-634087328 (1).jpg

Dev Patel To Play Lead in Armando Iannucci's Adaptation of 'David Copperfield'

By Kayleigh Donaldson | Film | February 15, 2018 |

By Kayleigh Donaldson | Film | February 15, 2018 |


GettyImages-634087328 (1).jpg

Oscar nominee, Anwar from Skins and general fox Dev Patel will play the eponymous role in a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield, as reimagined by Veep creator Armando Iannucci. Patel, who landed a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination last year for Lion, will take on the role in what has been described as ‘a modern takes on Dickens’ title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it.’

We’re not sure if that means the adaptation will be a modern day take on the story or if it’ll remain a Victorian set story that’s been revived for a new age. Dickens is reinvented as often as mobile phones these days, but his lofty and many-paged works remain popular with creators looking to tap into hefty stories with labyrinthine plots and vast ensembles. Iannucci is a man who knows a thing or two about taking on tough subjects with a sharp and cutting eye, and Dickens was never short of political subtext so there’s plenty for the guy who created Malcolm Tucker to go wild with. No word on whether Patel as Copperfield will get to call anyone an ‘F-star-star-cunt’ or say they’re as useful as a marzipan dildo. We can but hope.

Iannucci’s latest film, The Death of Stalin, is up for two BAFTAs, but is also banned in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Patel’s next film, Hotel Mumbai, is in post-production limbo due to its status as a Weinstein Company movie.

(Header photo from Getty Images)