A young Leonardo DiCaprio and charming Claire Danes as Romeo and Juliet fell head over heels in love during Baz Luhrmann's 1996 movie "Romeo + Juliet." The Academy Award-nominated film was modernized, yet retained its original Shakespearean dialogue. Riding off his heartthrob status from "Titanic," Leonardo DiCaprio, the highly hailed Hollywood star with no acting degree, broke hearts of teenage girls and hopeless romantics more than 15 years ago. English newcomer Douglas Booth will follow in Leo's footsteps and make audiences swoon in this remake uttering Shakespearean lines such as, "Did my heart love 'til now? Forswear its sight. For I never saw true beauty 'til this night." "Romeo and Juliet" is projected to premiere at the end of this year,
"Did My Heart Love 'Til Now?"
The screenplay for the 2013 film "Romeo and Juliet" was written by the "Downton Abbey" creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Carlo Carlei. Fellowes describes his adaptation as "chaste," according to ContactMusic.com. The story of star-crossed lovers will stay committed to "old-fashioned values" and purity, which means Romeo and Juliet won't consummate their relationship until marriage. According to MovieNewz.com's synopsis, Romeo and Juliet of feuding families Montague and Capulet meet one another and fall deeply in love at a feast. Secretly, the two wed, but once Juliet's father arranges a marriage between Juliet and Count Paris trouble arises as the couple fights to stay together.Rising Stars: Romeo Juliet
Oscar-nominated Hailee Steinfield from "True Grit" and Douglas Booth, who's appearing in the Warner Bros. sci-fi flick "Jupiter Ascending," star as lovers Juliet and Romeo, respectively. The talented pair is said to have "killer chemistry," described by EOnline.com. Transcend that natural chemistry to the big screen, and you've got a love tragedy that captures hearts and leaves an impression. Co-star Kodi Smit-McPhee, who plays Romeo's cousin Benvolio, tells E! Online that Steinfield and Booth were "very cute." Chemistry. Cute. Young and talented. You can't ask for anything more from an actor and actress in leading roles of one of the most historically played romantic tragedies. The film's cast also features "Sideways'" Paul Giamatti, "Homeland's" Damian Lewis, "Gossip Girl's" Ed Westwick and up-and-comer Christian Cooke. British actor Cooke tells Interview Magazine that Fellowes' adaptation is "more accessible for a younger audience." In the role of Romeo's best friend Mercutio, Cooke explains that even though it's a period piece, the remake maintains an element of reality. A bit simplified, "Romeo and Juliet" still pays homage to "Shakespeare's beautiful play."----------
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