Fox Searchlight Pictures has released the first trailer and poster for their upcoming thrillerMy Cousin Rachel, which starsRachel Weiszas the title character andSam Claflinas Philip Ashley. This film will mark the third time that the timeless original novel byDaphne Du Maurierwill be adapted, with the first big-screen adaptation debuting in 1952, starringOlivia de Havillandas Rachel Ashley andRichard Burtonas Philip Ashley. The novel was then adapted into a 1983 mini-series starringGeraldine ChaplinandChristopher Guardas Rachel and Philip.
My Cousin Rachelis a dark romance that tells the story of a young Englishman who plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms. The original novel was first published in 1951, and also spawned a few other types of adaptations. BBC Radio 4 debuted a radio adaptation in the spring of 2011, starringDamian LewisandLia Williams. In the spring of 2012,Joseph O’Connordebuted his dramatic interpretation ofMy Cousin Rachelat the Gate Theatre, Dublin, starringHannah Yellandas Rachel.
The supporting cast of thisFox Searchlightadaptation includesHolliday Grainger,Iain Glen,Andrew Knott,Poppy Lee Friar,Andrew Havill,Vicki Pepperdine,Louis Suc,Attila G. Kerekes,Katherine Pearce,Stuart Davidson,Harrie Hayes,Chris Gallarus,Austin Taylor,Tristram Davies,Bobby Scott Freeman,Holly SohailandDon Whistance. Fox Searchlight Pictures has set a June 9 release date forMy Cousin Rachel, although it is believed that this film will get a limited release. It will be going up against Universal’sThe Mummyand A24’sIt Comes At Night, with Roadside Attractions’Beatrix at Dinner, The Orchard’sThe Heroand Freestyle Releasing’sMilesalso arriving in limited release.
Roger Michelldirects this adaptation from his ownadapted screenplay, withKevin LoaderandAnita Overlandproducing. This marksRoger Michell’s first film in four years, since 2013’sLe Week End, although he has been keeping busy on the small screen since then. He directed both episodes in the two-part mini-seriesThe Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferiesin 2014, which was written byPeter Morganand starredJason Watkinsas the title character, and the TV movieBirthdayin 2015, based onJoe Penhall’s play. His other directing credits includeHyde Park on the Hudson,Morning Glory,Venus,Enduring Love,Changing Lanes,Notting Hill,Titanic TownandMy Night With Reg.
WhileMy Cousin Rachelhas found itself in the midst of a jam-packedsummer movieseason, it’s not unheard of for smaller indie films like this to find its own niche audience, especially one based on a literary classic. Still, it will find itself having to fend off other blockbusters-to-be such as Warner Bros.‘Wonder Woman, which arrives on June 2, along with the animated sequelCars 3and theTupac ShakurbiopicAll Eyez On Meon June 16. Take a look at the first trailer and poster below forMy Cousin Rachel.
