Keira Knightley to play Anna Karenina in Atonement cast reunion

By Rebecca Cope on Friday 8 April 2011

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Keira Knightley

Hollywood has been abuzz with whispers that Atonement director Joe Wright was set to reunite with leading lady Keira Knightley for his new flick, Anna Karenina. Well, now it appears the rumours were founded, as the 26-year-old actress has been confirmed for a role in the film, alongside Jude Law, Kelly Macdonald and Benedict Cumberbatch.

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Joe first worked with Keira on Pride and Prejudice, before casting her as the tragic lead of Atonement. He even directed the starlet in her latest ad for Chanel.

Now, the hit filmmaker seems to be reuniting his full cast from 2007’s Atonement for the new literary adaptation, confirming that he is in talks with James Mcavoy and Saoirse Ronan,

Atonement film still crop

He told ThePlaylist.com: 'Kelly Macdonald’s confirmed, Benedict Cumberbatch is confirmed. I’m still waiting on Saoirse and James.'

The film will also feature rising star Aaron Johnson from Nowhere Boy.

A classic of 19th century fiction, Anna Karenina follows the downfall of a miserable middle class wife, who is ostracised from Russian society after an affair with another man. A popular version of the story starred Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean, way back in 1997.

It’s widely believed that Keira will take the lead role, with Jude Law as her husband and the young Aaron Johnson as her lover, Vronsky.

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Friday 8 April 2011

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Far rather see Benedict Cumberbatch as Levin. About time he had leading roles and not supporting roles behind the less talented McAvoy.
Comment by Guest on April 08 12:21

NO! Anna is meant to be a real woman not a stick thin model type. It should be Kate Winslet in that role.
Comment by Lovethesun on April 08 13:34

The characters are perfect- why don't we just wait and see what they deliver before commenting on what should and shouldn't be done. At the end of the day it's about a good story, with brilliant acting. I can wait to see it!
Comment by jasmine on April 09 18:50

The part I'm most excited about is Benedict Cumberbatch. Let's hope he gets a worthy role. He would be excellent as Levin. Joe Wright would be blind to overlook such a talent. However, i'm worried that Keira would make a very wooden and 2 dimensional Anna. I think it ought to be Kate Winslet, Natalie Portman. Or maybe even Emily Blunt. She was a revelation in the Young Victoria so she definitely has potential.
Comment by Eido on May 04 16:33