U.k.'s Ecosse Has Dench 'in Mind' For Film Project

With two highly regarded films to its name, U.K. film and television production company Ecosse Films is gearing up a busy film production schedule. The company, which produced "Mrs. Brown" and the upcoming "Charlotte Gray," said Thursday that it plans to put at least two productions from its development slate before the lens next year.

Among them is a screenplay written specially for Oscar- winning veteran actress Judi Dench, being penned by Michael Chaplin, creator of Ecosse Films' hit British television drama series "Monarch of the Glen." It is tentatively titled "Helen's Boy."

The New York-set project, in the early stages of development, is Chaplin's first film script. It details the story of a female publishing house chief whose husband leaves her for a young model. In an attempt to woo him back, the publishing exec takes up with a toy-boy to inspire jealousy.

Ecosse stresses that Dench is not yet attached to the project and that the script is only "being written with her in mind," but the company has a strong relationship with the actress. Dench starred in Ecosse Films' debut big-screen production, "Mrs. Brown," which Miramax distributed in the United States.

The company's development slate has a number of projects competing to roll next year, including "Henry and Anne." Written by Allan Scott, the film is backed by FilmFour, the stand-alone film division of U.K. broadcaster Channel 4.

The movie details the story of the marriage of British monarch Henry VIII to his second wife, Anne Boleyn. The project originally was developed with director Iain Softley ("K-Pax"), but Softley is not currently attached to direct it.

Currently out to directors is "The Waterhorse," which Ecosse has developed and will make for Miramax Films. The film is written by Bob Jacobs from a novel by kids author Dick King Smith.

Ecosse founder and chief Douglas Rae is also developing "Faith," which has been commissioned from Jeremy Brock, whose previous credits include "Mrs. Brown" and "Charlotte Gray," which is set for U.S. release Dec. 28 by Warner Bros. and in February in the U.K. by FilmFour Distributors.

"Faith" is billed as a love story set against the backdrop of the English civil war, during which a Roundhead (a supporter of the Parliamentary party) falls in love with the daughter of a Cavalier (a Royalist). Rae said it would be "an epic big-budget project."

The company is also developing "Charlie," centering on the 18th-century Scottish royal, Bonnie Prince Charlie. It is being written by award-winning author Ronan Bennett, with Rae expecting delivery of a second draft in January.

With the possibility of a winter shoot next year, Ecosse is developing a script from U.K. television writer Kevin Hood based on "Charlotte Gray" novelist Sebastian Faulks' "On Green Dolphin Street." Set in the United States and Russia, the movie tells the story of a Washington-based British diplomat and an American journalist at the height of the Cold War.

Ecosse Films has secured £250,000 ($355,000) for development over the next three years from the Film Council, the U.K. government-backed financing and strategy superbody (HR 11/28).

Rae said his company is matching the development cash "pound for pound," and is putting in around £500,000 ($710,000) annually.

"What we are trying to do is to tell big stories which usually involve big relationships. We are trying to make big international films and wanted to have projects to come when 'Charlotte Gray' comes out," he said.