Ethan Hawke will star in Michael Almereyda’s modern day adaption of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline in the vein of TV hit Sons Of Anarchy. International Film Trust (IFT) will handle international sales and CAA represents US rights.

Producers are Keep Your Head Productions’ Anthony Katagas, whose credits include the anticipated awards season contender 12 Years A Slave, and Michael Benaroya, who will fully finance through Benaroya Pictures.

Ben Sachs of Benaroya Pictures will serve as executive producer. IFT’s head of sales Christian De Gallegos will introduce the project to buyers. 

Principal photography has been scheduled for Aug 19 in New York City on the adaptation, which frames the story against an epic battle between corrupt police officers and a drug dealing biker gang.

Almereyda directed Hawke in Hamlet back in 2000. Hawke is riding high following critical acclaim for Before Midnight and recently starred in Universal’s number one North American release The Purge.