Paul Dano Considers War And Peace

Though it has been adapted several times before, Leo Tolstoy’s huge tale of drama between aristocratic Russian families is once more the target of a TV project, this time a collaboration between the BBC and The Weinstein Company. Paul Dano and Lily James are mulling offers to star in the miniseries.

Developed by the company behind Ripper Street and scripted by veteran novel adapter Andrew Davies, it will retell the sprawling story that's set in 1805 Russia and weaves between five rich families around the reign of Alexander I. James is being targeted to play Natasha Rostova, who falls for the wrong man – namely Dano’s Pierre Bezukhov, an awkward illegitimate son who spots a chance to climb society’s ranks but struggles with his hot temper. The actors would be playing roles originally tackled by Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda in the 1956 film version, so no pressure there, then.

Once it has assembled the rest of the cast, the miniseries will shoot for an airdate to be decided next year. Dano, meanwhile, will be seen as Brian Wilson in Beach Boys biopic Love & Mercy and Paolo Sorrentino’s The Early Years. James, last seen in Broken and regularly on screen as Lady Mary in Downtown Abby, will be the title character in Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella for Disney.