Ellen Page lands lead role in Jane Eyre
Juno star Ellen Page has landed the lead role in a BBC adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel Jane Eyre.
But the casting of the Oscar-nominated actress has reportedly angered a number of U.K. film industry bosses who believe a British actress should have been cast in Page’s role.
A source tells British newspaper The Express, “No one is doubting Ellen Page’s acting abilities but why a BBC movie of Jane Eyre couldn’t have a British actress as the lead is pretty hard to stomach.”
It’s not the first time an American actress has attracted controversy by playing beloved characters from classic English literature – last year, Anne Hathaway caused controversy when she was cast in the role of author Jane Austen in movie Becoming Jane.
WENN
May 8th, 2008 at 10:36 am
So let me get this straight- Its ok for someone from Britain to land a role and speak with an “American” accent, but should the reverse happen they cry foul?
what a double standard they have!
May 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
isn’t ellen page canadian? also, the lead actress from memoirs of a geisha was chinese. that upset a lot of japanese people but the movie was still produced and it was really successful. i don’t think nationality should matter.
May 8th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Uh, are you sure? The BBC just did an adaptation of Jane Eyre…in 2006! Why so soon again? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780362/
May 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Ellen Page is Canadian…saying she is American is blasphemy!! ;oP
May 8th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
She can get the job done!
July 18th, 2008 at 6:48 am
SHE’S FROM HALIFAX, NS. That’n NOT in the U.S. and she’s not American!!!!