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Highlights from Cannes Film Festival 2011

May 17, 2011

John Hillcoat's prohibition era drama, The Wettest County, is set to be bought by the Weinstein Company. Harvey Weinstein is closing the deal to acquire the film, which stars Shia Labeouf, Tom Hardy and Gary Oldman.

BBC Films has announced its adaptation of Swallows and Amazons, written by Andrea Gibb. Christine Langan said she hoped the adaptation would appeal to the same audience as the Harry Potter franchise. BBC Films also announced James Graham's film, X and Y. Based on the 2005 documentary, the film follows a group of British teenagers competing at the International Mathematical Olympiad. They also unveiled Mark O'Rowe's adaptation of Daniel Clay's novel, Broken. Acclaimed theatre director Rufus Norris will direct, and Cillian Murphy is attached to star.

Film4 is teaming up with producers Rachael Horovitz and James Wilson to develop a film about writer-traveller Bruce Chatwin. Hari Kunzru and Katie Kitamura are writing the script based on Nicholas Shakespeare’s biography.

Andy and Lana Wachowski and Tom Tykwer have announced the cast for the feature adaptation of David Mitchell's best-selling novel Cloud Atlas. Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon and Jim Broadbent are all set to star.

Finally, Drive, written by Hossein Amini is being screened on Friday 20th May in competition for the Palme d'Or. Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan star in this action thriller.