King Kong didn’t have shit on Denzel Washington in Training Day—now it looks like the fictional King of Scotland (in the 1600s, that is) won’t be able to, either.
The two-time Academy Award winner is in talks to star in the latest screen adaptation of Shakepeare’s Macbeth, set to be helmed by Joel Coen, who is also penning the adapted screenplay. Scott Rudin will produce and A24 plans to distribute worldwide.
Plus, it’s about to be a fucking acting masterclass because Academy Award-winning Frances McDormand is also in talks to join Washington. Double double, toil and trouble, indeed.
Per Deadline:
The Shakespeare classic was first turned into a film by Orson Welles in 1948 and numerous adaptations have followed. The storyline is that a Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he is destined to become king of Scotland. With the help of his ambitious wife, he does what he has to with the goal of seizing the crown. Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard starred in the last version, directed by Justin Kurzel.
It’s unclear whether or not Washington will be taking on the role of the titular character, but I can’t envision any other possibility. He’s Denzel Motherfucking Washington, after all.
Imagine Washington—who has extensive onstage experience and a Tony Award—turning one of Macbeth’s many infamous soliloquies upside down and making it fresh again. Or bouncing off of McDormand’s energy onscreen? I’m ready.
What will be done (i.e. epic acting) cannot be undone. We’ll be forever changed.