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Lee Daniels Also Set to Direct Adaptation of 'Anna in the Tropics'

by Ethan Anderton
December 14, 2010
Source: Heat Vision

Though I wasn't very pleased with the recent news that the director had lined up a remake of Federico Fellini's Nights of Cabiria, another project for the Lee Daniels sounds less maddening. THR reports the director has signed on to develop and direct an adaptation of the award winning Broadway play Anna in the Tropics. Inspired by Leo Tolstoy's novel Anna Kernina, the 1920's set story follows a Tampa family of cigar rollers whose lives are changed by the power of literature during a high point in the cigar-making history. Thankfully, the play's writer, Nilo Cruz, is quite pleased with the idea of an adaptation as he says, "I always saw it as a film."

Cruz went on to say, "Even though I wrote is as a play, I just think it has endless possibilities as a film. The play itself is full of images and I want to open it up to the world film offers.” Hopefully Daniels, who I've found to be lacking in the visual department, can bring those images to life on film. Apparently the writer will meet with Daniels in January to discuss the project, but since we've heard The Butler is likely next for the filmmaker, this project will likely come afterwards. Jimmy Smits was the only known screen talent who appeared in the play, but it's not clear if he'll be involved with the film adaptation. The story certainly sounds intriguing, and if it keeps Daniels away from the potential remake of Nights of Cabiria, then I'll be happy. What do you think?

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