Coming off the excellent crowd-sourced Life in a Day, Kevin Macdonald‘s new project isn’t a documentary, but rather an adaptation of Meg Rossof‘s 2004 teen drama novel How I Live Now.
According to THR, Macdonald’s latest hasn’t started production just yet, due to some final touches being made on his Bob Marley biopic, appropriately titled Marley.
Macdonald is currently working with British writer Jack Thorne, as well as Jeremy Brock and Tony Grisoni; quite the group of writers. Thorne has the background of teenage based dramas with his experience on the UK series Skins, while Grisoni is well known for his friendship with the eccentric, but amazing director Terry Gilliam. However, Macdonald and Brock have collaborated previously, on the Oscar winning The Last King of Scotland. Lets hope How I Live Now will generate more buzz than his failed adventure The Eagle.
Rossof’s book follows the life of a 15-year old girl from Manhattan who is forced to live with some family in the English countryside, during the outbreak of a fictional World War III. Elizabeth falls in love with her cousin, but they are broken apart as soon as England becomes occupied following various terrorist attacks.
I’m intrigued to see how Macdonald handles the subject matter, considering The Last King of Scotland was anything but a teen enforced melodrama. On the other hand, Macdonald is no stranger to drama with the overlooked State of Play, so it should be one to look out for.
The project will be backed by Film 4, Passion Pictures, Cowboy Films and Prospect Entertainment with shooting kicking off sometime next year.
What are your thoughts on Macdonald directing a teenage drama like How I Live Now?