In an effort to break away from the stigma of Harry Potter, actor Daniel Radcliffe continues to pursue roles as far from wizarding as possible. First there was his naked ride on a horse in the play "Equs," then there was his lead role in The Woman in Black, and most recently a resoundingly successful run on Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
What's up next for the poster boy of House Gryffindor? How about Frankenstein?
Courtesy of "The Wrap," Radcliffe is apparently interested in a role in the latest adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."* Reports indicate he wants to play The Hunchback, a "pathologically dirty man dressed in old clowns clothing." Hmmm. Definitely a 180 from wizard's robes.
Director Paul McGuigan recently stepped in to helm the project after Shawn Levy dropped out. Max Landis, who scripted the surprise hit Chronicle, also took over screenwriting duties. Landis' describes his version as a "sci-fi take on this classic story about a creature produced through a scientific experiment." As a English Lit major I have to point out that Landis' description is redundant. "Frankenstein" is science fiction, some of the earliest ever written. It also encompasses Gothic horror, the concept of the sublime, and is a great example of a framed narrative. Okay. I just took off my tweed coat with the elbow patches and stepped away from the lectern. You may sit down now.
I have to give Radcliffe credit. He's taking every chance available to step out of the shadow of Harry Potter. The child actor to adult actor transition is never easy and often doesn't end well. It's too soon to tell whether Radcliffe's story will reflect Kurt Russell and Joseph Gordon-Levitt or Haley Joel Osmet and Macaulay Culkin.
*1994's version of Frankenstein starring Kenneth Branagh and Robert DeNiro is severely underrated.
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