Sir Kenneth Branagh is "very hopeful" Martin Scorsese will direct a movie adaptation of his 2013 ‘Macbeth’ stage production.
The acclaimed directors were said to have staged informal discussions about the idea a few months ago, and Sir Kenneth has confirmed it is now close to a reality.
The 54-year-old star – who also confirmed the play would soon be returning to theatres – told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We’re practically there… We will remount the production and all things being well Mr Scorsese will direct a film version of that production.
"Fingers are hovering above pieces of paper. Everybody wants to do it, it’s just a question of schedules. I’m very, very, very, very hopeful it’s going to happen."
Meanwhile, Sir Kenneth recently confessed he found the Disney remake of ‘Cinderella’ as intimidating as tackling a William Shakespeare production.
Asked which is more daunting to direct, he replied: "I’d say it’s equally intimidating. The ferocity of passion that is engendered by people when they don’t like what you’ve done is really tremendous. It’s intense.
"But my feeling is always that the original work is there, at the end of it, or whatever people might deem as the traditional way of doing things.
"But, I always think that’s a myth. Particularly with Shakespeare, they weren’t there in the 1600s, so it’s usually an idea, in our own heads, of what’s right and proper, or just what you prefer."
Kenneth Branagh ‘hopeful’ of Martin Scorsese directing Macbeth
