With the success of “300” and “Apocalypto,” HBO’s “Rome” series and older films like “Gladiator,” producer Scott Rudin (“The Queen,” “The Truman Show”) has purchased the screen rights to the Robert Graves historical novel “I, Claudius.” The deal set Rudin back $2 million, according to Variety.
The Graves novel is considered a classic in the telling of the behind the scenes intrigue that went on at the Roman palace and within the family of Augustus Caesar, from his early rise to power after the assassination of his Uncle Julius to the death of Claudius’ son Nero, the last of the Julian Emperors to rule over the Roman Empire.
In 1976 the BBC undertook a massive television stage production of the novel. It was done so well that no one, until now, has even attempted to make another. There was one failed attempt to do a big screen production of “I, Claudius” in 1937. Producer Alexander Korda hired director Josef von Sternberg, with actors Charles Laughton as Claudius and Merle Oberon as Messalina. The film turned out to be a disasterous attempt and has, to this day, remained unfinished and is considered one of Hollywood’s great lost movies.
The BBC televised production starred some of the biggest names in British film and television including, John Hurt, Derek Jacobi, Siân Phillips, George Baker, Brian Blessed, and Patrick Stewart.
Rumor has it that Rudin may be looking to one of Disney’s owned studios, such as Touchstone or Miramax for the home of this monumental production because of his past successful dealings with Disney executives. Also on board with Rudin is Alison Owen (“Shaun of the Dead”) who will share producing duties.
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