Joss Whedon's labor-of-love, low budget adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, now has an official release date.
The filmmaker behind the most successful superhero movie to date, the Marvel Studios adventure The Avengers, shot this black-and-white version of Shakespeare's comedy, set in present day over 12 days in his Santa Monica home.
A movie far removed from superheroes, spaceship crews, or teen vampire hunters has been picked up by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions and will be able to see it in limited release on June 7th, 2013, before going wide on June 21st.
A group of Whedon regulars including Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Sean Maher, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz, Reed Diamond, and Jillian Morgese acting out this romantic comedy.
Here's the description:
Shakespeare's classic comedy is given a contemporary spin in Joss Whedon's film, ‘Much Ado About Nothing.' Shot in just 12 days (and using the original text), the story of sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick offers a dark, sexy and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game that is love.
Writer, director, and producer Joss Whedon hits the big screen again with this inventive, modern-day version of one of William Shakespeare's most beloved plays. Claudio (Fran Kranz) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof ) have just returned home to Messina after a successful campaign abroad. When earnest Claudio announces his adoration for the lovely Hero (Jillian Morgese), daughter of Messina's governor Leonato (Clark Gregg), the acid-tongued Benedick teases him mercilessly. Benedick's scorn for love is matched by that of his long-time nemesis and verbal sparring partner Beatrice (Amy Acker), Leonato's niece. As the lovestruck Claudio and Hero make plans to marry, Benedick and Beatrice resume the “merry war” of insults they have long waged. Yet there are many who believe that for all their antagonism – or even because of it – this pair of incessantly sniping cynics is surely meant to be a couple. As matchmaking schemes are put into play and disguises are donned, loathing and love soon prove to be close cousins.
