The Handmaid’s Tale Director Revives 420-Year-Old Character In New Movie

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The Handmaid’s Tale director is reviving a 420-year-old character.

Director Kari Skogland is set to revive a classic character in a new film, offering a fresh take on the story. Skogland is known for her work on acclaimed TV series like The Handmaid’s Tale (where she directed the season one finale and four episodes in season two), The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (all six episodes), and The Walking Dead (two episodes). She recently directed the pilot for Apple TV+’s Smoke, showcasing her versatility across different genres and narratives.

Kari Skogland, the director known for The Handmaid’s Tale, is set to direct a film based on Ava Reid’s popular 2024 novel, Lady Macbeth. Emma Donoghue, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, will adapt the book for the screen. The movie will be produced by Skogland’s new production company, Take A Trip Media, with Mackenzie Munro also producing. Scott Aharoni, Sinan Eczacibasi, and Alihan Yalicindag from Curious Gremlin will join as producers, along with executive producers Peter Gold and Eden Burke, and associate producer Ben Pitts.

Reid’s novel, Lady Macbeth, retells the story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth from the perspective of Lady Macbeth herself. It portrays her as a young woman forced into a political marriage in a harsh medieval setting, and focuses on her struggle to survive and navigate the difficult world of ancient politics, where she faces significant obstacles. Unlike the play, which depicts her as a villain, the novel presents her as a heroine. This reimagined version of the story is the basis for Skogland’s upcoming film.

Skogland’s novel, Lady Macbeth, offers a fresh, modern interpretation of the classic character, and its success as a bestseller suggests a strong audience interest that a film adaptation could build on. Curious Gremlin’s Sinan Eczacibasi announced the collaboration with Take A Trip to bring the story to the screen. Author Munro also voiced enthusiasm for the adaptation, commending Skogland and Donoghue’s imaginative approach and commitment.

As a huge fan of stories that take risks and aren’t afraid to be different, I was so excited to hear about Curious Gremlin picking up Ava Reid’s Lady Macbeth! It’s a really unique take on Shakespeare’s classic – told from a perspective we haven’t seen much before. Knowing Emma Donoghue wrote the screenplay and Kari Skogland is directing makes it even better. They just seem like the perfect team to bring this bold vision to life, and I can’t wait for Curious Gremlin and Take a Trip to share it with everyone.

As a huge fan of bold storytelling, I’m so excited about launching Take A Trip with Lady Macbeth! It just feels perfect – the story is raw, powerfully feminine, and doesn’t shy away from tough emotions, which is exactly what we want to showcase. Ava Reid’s book has this incredible energy and a really dedicated fanbase. Plus, having Emma Donoghue adapt it and Kari Skogland directing? That’s a dream team with a real knack for atmosphere and complex characters. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to kick off Take A Trip, and we’re incredibly happy to be working with Curious Gremlin to make this happen.

This film marks a return to Lady Macbeth on the big screen, following Frances McDormand’s portrayal in 2021’s The Tragedy of Macbeth. However, it’s the first adaptation of Reid’s novel, offering a fresh take on the character. While audiences will recognize Lady Macbeth, this version will explore her backstory and how her experiences before the play’s events shaped her destiny, making her distinct from previous depictions.

Details about the upcoming movie are still limited, but with Skogland directing and Donoghue writing the script, it looks promising. The film’s modern take on the well-known story shares thematic similarities with The Handmaid’s Tale, exploring challenges faced in a world dominated by those in power. We can expect more information as the movie progresses.

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2026-06-16 21:49