Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s famed musical “The King and I” with plans for a new feature adaptation.
The classic period story sees Anna Leonowens setting sail from England for Bangkok, Siam (now Thailand) to take the position of school teacher for the royal court of the King of Siam.
Marty Bowen & Wyck Godfrey’s Temple Hill production company will back the project which aims to be “a moving and vivid retelling of the classic East meets West story.” It also plans to offer a “contemporary perspective that explores diversity and the contrasting worldviews of the characters by drawing from real history and the musical.”
Concord will serve in a producing capacity. The original 1956 first film adaptation, which starred Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, won five Oscars out of nine nominations.
Source: Deadline