A new live-action take on the tale of Beowulf is in development, and the project has assembled a very impressive cast.
We've seen a number of animated and live-action adaptations of the ancient Danish legend over the years, but this one will be a little different.
Based on John Gardner’s acclaimed novel, Grendel will tell the story from the perspective of the monster, with Jeff Bridges (Iron Man, Tron) set to play the title character, and Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Blade Runner 2049) on board as the mighty warrior to comes to Danish King Hrothgar's hall to put an end to the creature's rampage, Beowulf.
The cast also includes Bryan Cranston as King Hrothgar, Sam Elliott as The Dragon, Thomasin McKenzie as Queen Wealhtheow and Aidan Turner as Unferth. T Bone Burnett will also appear, and provide original songs for the film.
Robert D. Krzykowsk (The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot) will direct. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop will handle the practical creature work and design.
Palisades Park Pictures is set to launch sales at Cannes for the project, which is described as the “tale of the legendary monster at the heart of the Beowulf epic poem who steps forth to tell his side of this riveting story.”
Brian Henson and Vince Raisa will produce for The Jim Henson Company, along with Krzykowski, Jay Glazer, Dennis Berardi and Jon D. Wagner. Bridges will exec produce, with John Sayles, Tamara Birkemoe, and Joe Jenckes of Ashland Hill Media Finance, which will finance the movie.
Palisades Park Pictures will launch international sales out of Cannes, with CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group co-repping rights for North America.
“Grendel represents everything I love about the movies. John Gardner’s mad masterpiece cleverly tackles what it is to be human through the wild-eyed lens of a monster,” said Krzykowski. “It’s an honor to work with such a remarkable group of storytellers, all of whom seek to bring something wonderful and unexpected to audiences now.”
Arguably the best-known take on this story is the 2007 animated adaptation starring Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie. You can check out the trailer below.
"Grendel is a 1971 novel by the American author John Gardner.[1] It is a retelling of part of the Old English poem Beowulf from the perspective of the antagonist, Grendel. In the novel, Grendel is portrayed as an antihero. The novel deals with finding meaning in the world, the power of literature and myth, and the nature of good and evil."