“Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene…”
So read the opening words of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, often considered the single greatest romantic tale of all time. Reimagined for the big screen time and again, director Carlo Carlei’s new approach offers the traditional setting of 16th century Verona with an adapted screenplay by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes.
Appearing as the star-cross’d lovers are Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth, both of whom joined Fellowes to discuss the project with ComingSoon.net. In the below interview, they talk about adapting the Bard for 21st century audiences, building a convincing romance on screen and what surprises they all uncovered in the process of digging deeper into the eternal tale.
Check out the interviews in the player below and catch Romeo & Juliet in theaters this Friday, October 11.