Anne Hathaway has signed on to star in and produce the Hollywood adaptation of an unflinching and adventurous novel, which is being backed by Working Title and Focus Features. Hathaway will play Grace; just married and now a widow after the boat she and her husband were travelling on sinks. Grace’s recently departed husband manages to secure her a place on one of the sparse lifeboats but her survival is anything but secure.
‘The Lifeboat’ is the debut novel from Charlotte Rogan which portrays Grace as a feisty widow who fights her fellow females corner when, after three weeks adrift at sea, the passengers start thinking about sacrificing each other in order to survive. Equally as strong willed is the ship’s captain – Mr Hardie – and we are looking forward to a casting announcement for that role! Grace eventually faces a murder trial for the lives lost in the tragedy so drama is a certainty.
Hathaway is no stranger to a woman in a desperate situation after her role as down on her luck Fantine in LES MISÉRABLES. The role won her the Bafta, Golden Globe and Academy Award (as well as a host of others) for best supporting actress so this role is one she should nail!
William Broyles Jr. (CASTAWAY, APOLLO 13, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS) is writing the script with no director yet announced and no filming schedule known.
Source: THR
