Michael Fassbender + Marion Cotillard + “Macbeth” = ticket sold as far we’re concerned, and while we can’t wait to see the result (it’s one our 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2014… if it gets finished and released in time) we remain very curious about the approach. The Shakespeare play is one of the most frequently performed and adapted, though not so much for the big screen, and the Bard has always proven flexible to filmmakers who push his material to the edge. However, what we weren’t perhaps expecting is that “the Scottish play” will have French flavor.

Chatting with John Cameron Mitchell in Interview magazine, Cotillard revealed she’s keeping her French accent for her turn as Lady Macbeth. Here’s what she had to say:

COTILLARD: Oh, yeah. And, it is really tough. It’s tough already for someone who speaks English. But we really tried to stick to the original text, which is inspiring because he wrote the words, but also because there is a rhythm and an energy that fits with the emotion and the purpose of what he says. But, of course, I couldn’t do it by myself. I need someone to work with; they want to keep a flavor of my French accent, because when they offered me the part, I told [director Justin Kurzel] … Well, he knew—

 

MITCHELL: You’re not going to be Scottish.

COTILLARD: [laughs] Yes. [Kurzel] thought it was interesting to have, like, an exotic flavor to the accent. So I asked, “Do you really think it’s interesting? Or do you think I will never be able to totally erase my French accent and be totally Scottish?” [Mitchell laughs] And he said, “No, no, no, we really think it’s interesting.” I don’t know if it was true, but I’m doing it, so…

So get out the pitchforks? Or is this a smart idea to allow director Justin Kurzel to break out the expectations of what “Macbeth” has to be? We’re sure you have an opinion so sound off below.

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I’ve added outtakes from the Interview Magazine of March 2014. Enjoy them in our gallery!

Gallery link:
Photoshoots & Portraits > Photoshoots > 2014: Set 001

Interview has covered its March issue with Marion Cotillard.

Marion Cotillard is the modern-day Lady Macbeth.

The Academy Award winner for “La Vie en Rose” is preparing for her role in the film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic drama opposite Michael Fassbender.

“This is something where you cannot just learn your lines and show up on set,” Cotillard, 38, tells the March issue of Interview magazine.
“It would be a disaster,” she told her interviewer, fellow actor John Cameron Mitchell.

The French beauty revealed she is currently on location in London but the cameras are not quite rolling yet for the picture.
The blue-eyed Cotillard stuns in Interview’s spread, donning chic couture as she jokes about her past roles playing a prostitute in drama “The Immigrant,” thriller “Blood Ties” and even a David Bowie music video.
“Three prostitute roles in my life this year and last,” she says. “I don’t know why. Not that I don’t want to do it, because why not?”

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Hollywood stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard are coming to Ely – as the cathedral has been chosen for yet another huge blockbuster.

The News can reveal that scenes for the hugely-anticipated new film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth are going to be filmed at the cathedral.

The movie stars Irish-German actor Fassbender as Macbeth and Oscar-winning French actress Cotillard as Lady Macbeth – and both will be appearing in scenes inside the cathedral’s Lady Chapel.

And as if that isn’t exciting enough, residents of what’s been dubbed ‘Elywood’ are also being given the chance to be extras in the film, which is being directed by Justin Kurzel.

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BERLIN – Starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard (pictured), See-Saw Films’ production “Macbeth” commenced principal photography in Scotland, Studiocanal and Film Four announced Thursday.

The Weinstein Company distributes in the U.S.

Helmed by Justin Kurzel (“Snowtown”), “Macbeth” co-stars Paddy Considine (“The Bourne Ultimatum”), David Thewlis (“Harry Potter”), Sean Harris (“Prometheus”), Jack Reynor (“What Richard Did”), and Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby”). It will shoot for seven weeks in Scotland and England.

Jacob Koskoff and Todd Louiso wrote the screenplay..

Though offering a partly classic interpretation of Shakespeare’s play – “Macbeth,” a fearless warrior, is brought low by ambition – Kurzel’s big-screen adapration offers at least two newer elements. Another of Macbeth’s fatal flaws in Kurzel’s movie – not explored by Shakespeare – is all-consuming passion.

Also, expanding on a direction taken by Roman Polanski in his 1971 makeover, “Macbeth” will also offer “a thrilling interpretation of the dramatic realities of the times and a truthful reimagining of what wartime must have really been like for one of Shakespeare’s most famous and compelling characters, set in war-torn 11th century Scotland.”

Academy-Award winners Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films (“The King’s Speech,” “Shame”), produce with Laura Hastings-Smith (“Hunger”). See-Saw have developed the project alongside Film4. Studiocanal will majority finance with Film4, handle international sales, and distribute in the U.K., Germany and France.  .

Cinematographer is Adam Arkapaw (“Animal Kingdom”) who worked with Kurzel on “Snowtown,” production designer is Fiona Crombie (“Top of the Lake”), another “Snowtown” collaborator.

Academy-Award winner Jacqueline Durran (“Atonement,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) designs “Macbeth’s” costumes. Make-up and hair designer is Academy-Award winner Jenny Shircore (“The Invisible Woman,” “My Life with Marilyn”).

“Macbeth” is a See-Saw Films production in association with DMC Film, Anton Capital Entertainment S.C.A. and Creative Scotland.

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