After getting an Oscar nomination for his documentary GasLand back in 2010, Josh Fox is currently planning his latest feature, which Varitey tells us is an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen‘s 1882 play An Enemy of the People.
Following similar subject matter as GasLand, Ibsen‘s play focuses on a “tannery polluting a town’s water supply.” The project will be backed by Greg Ammon of Uneac Entertainment, with Ammon and Dan Halsted of Manage-Ment producing. It has been noted that Fox hopes to have longtime friend Mark Ruffalo in a starring role.
To get a little more specific, the play follows a Norwegian doctor who’s headed a successful project developing baths, “only to discover that waste products from the town’s tannery are contaminating the waters and making tourists ill. He finds himself blocked by authorities and sees the town residents turn against him and refuse to accept his claims.”
Fox told Variety that, “even though the play is 130 years old, it really feels like something that is very evocative right now.” He went on to say “one advantage of going with a classic is that you know that it works in front of audiences.” Ammon has also commented about the project, stating that it is “right in line with the goal of Uneac — making films that raise public awareness about socially relevant issues.”
With shooting expected for sometime this summer in the Catskills, Fox is also working on a GasLand 2 for HBO. They could come out around the same time, one could come out a lot later than the other, or neither will ever get made. It’s a game of estimations!
Are you interested in seeing an Enemy of the People adaptation?