Its title may be dated, but George Orwell’s dustopian classic 1984 is probably no more relevant than ever thanks to a culture of surveillance cameras, drones and other concerns over invasion of one’s privacy. With that in mind, perhaps it doesn’t seem strange that Sony is developing a new adaptation of Orwell’s novel. Deadline is reporting that Paul Greengrass has signed to direct the film which will be written by James Graham. Presumably, Greengrass will start work on this after he finishes off his collaboration with Matt Damon on the next Bourne franchise film.
Greengrass is a great choice, as his work on the Bourne franchise also touched on the idea of the security state and the lengths to which they can invade a citizen’s privacy and the lengths they will go to protect their secrets.
The book has been adapted twice before to film. The first time was in 1956 and starred Edmond O’Brien as the hero Winston Smith, who finds himself at odds with the oppressive government he worked for. John Hurt starred in the second adaption, released in the book’s titular year.
