A-Level Literature just got a bit more exciting
Often considered the greatest playwright to have ever, lived, ever and with a body of work that spans 38 plays - and not to mention a number of poems and sonnets - it's little surprise that Hollywood has committed some of the Bard's best work to the silver screen. With Michael Fassbender set to take on the role of Macbeth next year and Douglas Booth hitting our screens as Romeo in the autumn, we run down the most babely actors to take on Shakespeare's most loved heroes and villains.
Rex FeaturesChristian Bale
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
We’ve been on board with Christian Bale’s period drama-ness since Little Women but when he took on the role of Demetrius in classic Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream opposite a star-studded cast (seriously there’s, like, no non-famous people in this one), it was a seriously welcome return for our viewing pleasure.
Rex FeaturesDominic West
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
...And speaking of this star-studded adaptation, long before he found global fame with The Wire Dom West had a frisky turn playing mud-slinging lover Lysander opposite Anna Friel’s Hermia.
Douglas Booth
Romeo & Juliet (2013)
Fast-forward to 2013 though and we’re getting pretty excited about this coming autumn’s release of a new Julian Fellowes directed (he of Downton Abbey fame) Romeo & Juliet adaptation. Taking on the role of the lovelorn Romeo is the ever-dashing Douglas Booth and if we’re being honest, his arch-rival Tybalt also has a bit of a special place in our hearts...
Ed Westwick
Romeo & Juliet (2013)
...Because in this retelling, TYBALT IS CHUCK BASS. So in short, this is going to be amazing and we can’t wait.
AlamyJoseph Gordon-Levitt
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
We’re not traditionalists here at GLAMOUR.com and love a good reworking of the Bard’s classics as much as the next person and our teens simply wouldn’t have been complete without this timeless teen take on The Taming Of The Shrew.
Rex FeaturesHeath Ledger
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Aaah. How we loved Heath Ledger’s Aussie incarnation of Shakespeare’s Petruchio aka Patrick Verona (see what they did there?) - who stole the heart of feisty Katerina with a round or two of paintballing and a marching band.
GettyRichard Burton
The Taming Of The Shrew (1967)
Some 32-years earlier though and Richard Burton played Petruchio opposite his then-wife Elizabeth Taylor in a traditional retelling of the tale that many thought might reflect their own infamously tempestuous real-life relationship!
Rex FeaturesMel Gibson
Hamlet (1990)
Before his epic, epic turn as William Wallace in Braveheart, Mel cut his teeth on some British medieval fare in the Franco Zeffirelli-directed adaptation of Hamlet. However, as proved by Cher in Clueless, this movie, if nothing else, is great fodder for schooling some English lit university students.
Rex FeaturesChanning Tatum
She’s The Man (2006)
Before Amanda Bynes was better known for her Twitter spats and Channing Tatum for his Magic Mike body-popping, the two joined forces for a classic teen retelling of Twelfth Night.
Rex FeaturesAdrian Lester
Othello (2013)
In the summer of 2013, Adrian Lester trod the boards at the National Theatre taking on the titular character, with a modern interpretation of the play using the original script.
Rex FeaturesGerard Butler
Coriolanus (2011)
Set in a modern-day, alternate version of Rome, Gerry took on the role of Ralph Fiennes’ mortal enemy, Tullus Aufidius – great name – in this adaptation of the historical play, directed by Oscar nominated Fiennes.
Rex FeaturesMarlon Brando
Julius Caesar (1953)
Long before Gerard Butler was taking on the Bard’s historical plays though, Marlon Brando was doing it, playing Mark Anthony in the big budget Hollywood adaptation of Julius Caesar. In typical Hollywood style, we might venture that Brando’s outfit is a tad OTT.
Rex FeaturesJoseph Fiennes
Shakespeare In Love (1998)
Okay, okay. So this is not technically a hot Hollywood star taking on a Shakespearean role but we couldn’t not mention Joseph Fiennes playing actual Will Shakespeare in Brit comedy-come-period drama Shakespeare In Love. He was super in the film. And he’s super hot. Therefore, he more than deserves a mention.
Rex FeaturesJosh Hartnett
O (2001)
Back to modern day reworkings of Shakespearean plays, after the success of Romeo + Juliet there was a flurry of teen takes on the Bard’s plays. In an adaptation of Othello, set in high school, Hollywood repurposed teen Shakespeare go-to Julia Stiles again as Desi (Desdemona) while Josh Hartnett played the scheming Hugo (Iago).
Rex FeaturesKenneth Branagh
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
But if we’re talking about cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare, we cannot not mention both Kenneth Branagh and Kenneth’s Branagh’s directorial debut of Much Ado About Nothing. With a stellar – and mighty starry – cast, it’s one of the best and KB’s fluffy hair and beard combo in the role of Benedick deserves a nod.
Rex FeaturesDenzel Washington
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Thought Denzel was just some Hollywood action man? Think again. Kenneth Branagh must have seen passed that as well and cast Washington as honourable military man Don Pedro, in what is hands-down one of his best roles to date.
Rex FeaturesRobert Sean Leonard
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Wait, we’re still not done with this one. Way before Robert was doing anything with Dead Poets Society or placating his crochety best friend in House, Robert Sean Leonard playing dashing Claudio opposite love-interest and then up-and-coming Brit actress Kate Beckinsale.
Rex FeaturesKeanu Reeves
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
In a departure from his excellent adventures in Bill and Ted, Keanu Reeves surprised movie goers as baddy Don Pedro, who nearly messes up everything for the plays couples, Hero and Claudio as well as Beatrice and Benedick.
Rex FeaturesRichard Beymer
West Side Story (1961)
In this classic musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, two New York young lovers (Natalie Wood’s Maria and Richard Beymer’s Tony) from rival New York gangs fall for each other which tragic consequences.
Rex FeaturesLeonardo DiCaprio
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
How would a list of hot Shakespearean heroes be complete without a mention of this man; one Leonardo DiCaprio. His blonde curtains pretty much defined an era and this beautifully acted tragedy directed by Baz Luhrmann still reigns supreme.
