Netflix, Elba’s Hunchback to ring the changes

Idris Elba in Luther

Netflix has ordered a contemporary retelling of classic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with Golden Globe and SAG winner Idris Elba (Luther) set to star, direct and produce the film.

The currently untitled film will be a modern retelling of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel for Netflix. Michael Mitnick (The Current War) is adapting the story into the SVoD film. Elba is understood to be set to play the part of Quasimodo.

The global streamer described the project as “a sonic and musical experience” for which Elba will also produce the music. The producers include Fred Berger (La La Land) and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Midnight Special) for LA-based Automatik and Elba and Ana Garanito for Green Door Pictures. This will be the second film Elba has directed after Yardie.

Green Door, set up by Elba in 2013, also executive produced Guerrilla, written by John Ridley, in collaboration with Fifty Fathoms Productions, ABC Signature, Sky and Showtime. In Summer 2018, production starts on Turn Up Charlie, a Netflix comedy series starring and co-created by Elba.

It’s the latest scripted project based on the classic Hunchback of Notre Dame story following the news that drama commissioning club Atrium TV is moving ahead with its Quasimodo project last week.