Paul McGuigan's 'Frankenstein' Draws Interest From Daniel Radcliffe

Is Daniel Radcliffe pasty enough and ghostly enough to star in “Frankenstein”?

Apparently so. The “Harry Potter” star is interested in playing the lead role of Hunchback in Paul McGuigan’s revisionist take on the classic tale, a person familiar with the project told TheWrap.

The film is in the works at Twentieth Century Fox, where the focus for now is getting a finalized script, at which point serious talks will begin with actors, the person said.

Earlier this month, McGuigan signed on to direct the film for Fox and producers Davis Entertainment.

Based on a script by Max Landis (“Chronicle”), this adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel of the same name, puts a sci-fi take on this classic story about a creature produced through a scientific experiment.

Hunchback is described as pathologically dirty and dressed in old clowns clothing.

Several dozen other Frankenstein-based projects are in the works in Hollywood.

Shawn Levy was previously attached to the project but reportedly parted ways with Fox over budget issues.

They need a female creature, and Dr. F needs to fall in love with his voluptuous creation.

It's science fiction, it's a love story, and it has Harry Potter in it.

Cast the guy who was Ron as Dr. F's redheaded lab assistant, and you have a hit.

Daniel Radcliffe Nearing Deal to Play Igor in 'Frankenstein'

Daniel Radcliffe is in final negotiations to star in Frankenstein, Fox’s revisionist take on the classic horror story by Mary Shelley.

Paul McGuigan is directing the project, which has a script by Chronicle scribe Max Landis and is being produced by John Davis.

The casting goes against type for the usually clean cut Harry Potter star as Radcliffe will play Igor, the hunchback. He is described as pathologically dirty, with long hair and wearing old clown clothes. (A circus tone permeates much of the project, according to sources.)

A late-summer production start in the U.K. is being planned.

James McAvoy Tapped By Fox To Play Victor Von Frankenstein

Fox‘s search for the right actor to play Victor Von Frankenstein alongside Daniel Radliffe’s Igor in the Paul McGuigan-directed film has ended. The studio has chosen its X-Men: First Class star James McAvoy and the dealmaking is underway. This was a coveted role, and the studio recently tested actors that included Boardwalk Empire‘s Jack Huston, and Toby Kebbell, whose breakout was the Guy Ritchie-directed RocknRolla. John Davis’ Davis Entertainment is producing.

While Marvel’s Hall H Comic-Con panel is always the one to beat, McAvoy was part of a Fox panel that preceded it and might well have upstaged the day when, after Hugh Jackman and James Mangold talked about The Wolverine, Jackman brought out Bryan Singer and the entire cast of X-Men: Days Of Future Past. McAvoy most recently appeared in the Danny Boyle-directed Trance, and wrapped Filth and The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby: Him And Her. He is repped by UTA and United Agents.

'Downton Abbey' Star in Talks to Join Daniel Radcliffe in 'Frankenstein'

Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay has nabbed the female lead opposite Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy in 20th Century Fox’s Frankenstein.

Paul McGuigan is directing the movie, which retells the Mary Shelley horror classic from the perspective of Igor, the hunchbacked assistant to Victor Frankenstein.

Radcliffe is playing Igor, while McAvoy is playing the doctor who has plans to build a human body.

Findlay will play a trapeze artist who is saved by Igor after an accident, with the two becoming very close in the aftermath.

John Davis is producing the movie, scripted by Max Landis (Chronicle), and hopes to shoot later this fall in London and Scotland.

"It's about two young, brilliant guys pushing each other. Eventually one loses his morality and the other has to bring him back," Radcliffe told THR during a reception for his movie Horns in Toronto.

On Abbey, Findlay played Lady Sybil, the social boundary-pushing child of the Crawley clan. She has appeared in several movies and received acclaim for starring, with Felicity Jones, in the 2011 U.K. drama Albatross. Her American studio debut will be the recently wrapped Warner Bros. drama Winter’s Tale, whose cast includes Will Smith, Colin Farrell and Matt Bomer, among others.

Findlay is repped by WME, Management 360 and Troika in the U.K.

'Victor Frankenstein' Trailer: James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe Tell Mad Scientist's Side of Story



"We shall create life out of death."

The first trailer for Fox's Victor Frankenstein shows a different side to Mary Shelley's famous scientist gone wrong. No longer is he just a madman obsessed with creating the modern Prometheus — now, he's also a surprisingly charming egomaniac and, just maybe, a potential hero.

James McAvoy plays Frankenstein, while Daniel Radcliffe transforms the role of Igor from tragic minion to sarcastic sidekick — and, as can be seen in the trailer, unfortunate punching bag for early attempts to create life. ("Being electrocuted, chased by monsters, and hunted by the police?" Igor says at one point, describing his experiences at Frankenstein's side; as job descriptions go, it's hardly the most appealing.)

Also appearing in the movie is Sherlock's Andrew Scott, playing Frankenstein's police nemesis, Inspector Roderick Turpin, and Downton Abbey's Jessica Brown Findlay as Lorelei.

Directed by Paul McGuigan from a screenplay by Max Landis, Victor Frankenstein opens Nov. 25.