All the Rage: Thoughts on Upcoming Jane Austen Adaptations

Hello, long-lost friends! Well, technically I am the one who is long-lost, I suppose. But with two new Jane Austen adaptations in the making (or having recently come out), I couldn't resist the opportunity to post, however busy I am.  (Plus, I sort of worked it out so this is a project for one of my classes. Win-win.)

Why the period at the end? I'm confused.

First, let's talk about Emma, which is coming out in February of next year.  My original thought when hearing there is to be a new adaptation was "Huh?? But we don't need another Emma. We already a great miniseries and two mediocre movies." And my opinion as far as that goes hasn't really changed much.  However, until an absolutely, 100% perfect adaptation of a Jane Austen novel comes out, I'll always be willing to give something new a try. Even if I do think that a good Mansfield Park or Persuasion would be much, much more beneficial to the fandom and the world at large.

Then the trailer came out, and I had many more thoughts, which I will now discuss in detail.  I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!

Note: all screenshots below are taken directly from this trailer.

Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma Woodhouse

via

I could be more pleased with the choice for Emma, that's for sure.  Her face is definitely not what I picture Emma to be.  It's a bit too modern-looking, and kind of... sour?  Also, she is not what I would personally consider "handsome."  But I am trying to keep an open mind.

Anya is currently 23.  I was shocked to discover that for the first time, a Jane Austen heroine is being played by someone who is younger than I am.  But it's fine.  I'm only slightly freaked out.  Don't worry about it.  In any case, it's refreshing to have an actress so close to the character's age.

Anya hasn't done much in the way of period drama in the past, but it looks like she was in a recent film called The Miniaturist, which is set in the 17th-century, and looks pretty creepy.  Interestingly, Romola Garai (Emma from the 2009 miniseries, a.k.a. my favorite) played a significant role in that movie as well!