Actor Idris Elba is trading in his movie idol good looks to take on the lead in a new Netflix film based on a literary classic.
Elba will take on the role of Quasimodo in a new film adaptation of the classic Victor Hugo novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. According to an exclusive in The Hollywood Reporter, not only will Idris Elba star in the film as the lead, but he will also direct the film for the streaming service as well as produce original music for the feature through his Green Door production company.
The 1831 novel by Hugo tells the story of the hunchback Quasimodo, who falls in love with the beautiful gypsy Esmerelda. It has been adapted several times on both the stage and screen, most notably in the 1996 Disney animated adaptation starring Tom Hulce, Kevin Kline and Demi Moore. Michael Mitnick (The Current War / The Giver) will write the screenplay for the feature, which is being touted as a modern-day re-telling.
Idris Elba has already established himself as a director with his debut film Yardie and is continuing his relationship with Netflix which includes the upcoming original series Turn Up Charlie which Elba created, stars in and produces as well.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.