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Austen-tatious ... Jane by the Sea will show the links between the author's real life and her work
Austen-tatious ... Jane by the Sea will show the links between the author’s real life and her work Photograph: Courtesy Everett Collection
Austen-tatious ... Jane by the Sea will show the links between the author’s real life and her work Photograph: Courtesy Everett Collection

Jane Austen's life to be turned into a big-screen romantic comedy

This article is more than 8 years old

Jane by the Sea will combine the life story of the Pride and Prejudice author with scenes from her books to illustrate her inspiration

The life of Jane Austen is being dramatised yet again in an upcoming film called Jane by the Sea, based on the novel by Carolyn V Murray.

The romantic comedy, which is being pushed forward by Voltage Pictures, will examine the important relationships in Austen’s life and how they influenced her major works. According to the Tracking Board, the film will be a combination of scenes from the author’s life and her books.

It will also be scripted by author Murray, whose novel came out in July. No director or stars have been attached yet.

The life of Jane Austen has been the subject of interest before, with Anne Hathaway taking on the lead role in the 2007 film Becoming Jane. The film received largely middling reviews, with The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw calling it “not convincing”.

Austen’s work has also led to a number of hits, including Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice, which picked up an Oscar nomination for star Keira Knightley. Next year sees the release of a reimagining of the classic romance with a horror edge, called Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, starring Sam Riley and Lena Headey.

Whit Stilman is also making a return to the big screen with an adaptation of Austen’s short story Love and Friendship, which reunites him with his Last Days of Disco stars Kate Beckinsale and Chloë Sevigny.

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