All you need to know about forthcoming Shakespeare movies

Through the years we've embraced a lot of excellent adaptations of Shakespeare's work (Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Kenneth Branagh's Henry V) while enduring some clunkers along the way (Helen Mirren and Russell Brand in The Tempest anyone) and it looks as if the constant stream of Bard-inspired movies isn't going to end any time soon.

We've assembled all you need to know about the forthcoming movies based on Shakespeare's classic work. Let us know which one you're most looking forward to at the bottom.

(Images: All Star, Rex Features)

1. Romeo & Juliet

Despite a whole bunch of modern revisions of Shakespeare's most accessible story, the next big-budget adaptation is going back to basics with an authentic take on the tale of star-crossed lovers. It's scripted by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes and stars Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar nominated star of True Grit, and British actor Douglas Booth as the lead pair, with Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick, Homeland's Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti supporting. Since Steinfeld was just 14 when filming, they took out any nudity. Release date: February 8th

2. King Lear

Now this one has been in development for a while. Three years in fact. But Al Pacino's take on King Lear is still rumoured to be shooting soon. Directed by Michael Radford (Il Postino), the tragecy will see Pacino take centre stage with no other cast members confirmed as yet. It will be Pacino's second Shakespearean effort with director Radford after they previously teamed on 2004's The Merchant Of Venice. Shooting is still to begin so don't order your ticket just yet. Release date: TBA 2013

3. Much Ado About Nothing

You'd think that making smash hit superhero blockbuster The Avengers would be enough work for one year but writer/director Joss Whedon also found the time to make a lo-fi modern-day take on one of Shakespeare's most loved comedies. Shot in black-and-white on a minuscule budget, the film features no big names, save for Firefly star Nathan Fillion as Dogberry. It was recently shown at the Toronto Film Festival to rapturous reviews. The Guardian called it "the first great contemporary Shakespeare since Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet." Release date: TBC 2013

4. Rosaline

Alongside the more traditional take on Romeo & Juliet, this version is going down a rather different route. It's set to star Lily Collins (pictured, Mirror Mirror, The Blind Side) as Rosaline, the unseen girl who is dumped by Romeo pre-Juliet in a contemporary high school setting. Dave Franco (21 Jump Street) will be Romeo while Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood) will be Juliet. It's based on upcoming novel When You Were Mine which promises an alternate telling of the classic love story. Release date: TBC 2013

5. Enemy Of Man

Macbeth gets a smart update in this thriller which tells of a war hero and his return home which offers him the lure of ambition and begins his gradual descent into hell. The lead role is still not cast but Melancholia's Charlotte Gainsbourg (pictured) will be Lady Macbeth, Harry Potter's Rupert Grint will be Rosse while Boardwalk Empire's Stephen Graham is set to play Macduff. It'll be the directorial debut of actor Vincent Regan, best known for 300 and Troy. Release date: TBA 2013

6. America's Son

Here's one for the smaller screen. After the huge success of Homeland, Fox are hoping another political thriller will be an equally big TV hit. Loosely based on Hamlet, the show will focus on a Kennedy-style political family and it will kick off with a suspicious death of the presidential hopeful. When his son investigates the 'accident' and attempts to find the truth, he uncovers more than he bargained for, as secrets and skeletons in the closet are revealed. It will be written by Paul Redford (The West Wing). Release date: TBC 2013

7. Caesar Must Die

Now, this is an intriguing idea. This Italian drama, shot largely in black and white, follows a group of convicts as they rehearse for a prison performance of Julius Caesar. It's already won the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and has been put forward as Italy's entry for Best Foreign Language Film at next year's Oscars. It's garnered some great reviews with The Hollywood Reporter calling it "a fascinating encounter between theater and reality." Release date: TBA 2012/2013

Tags: books, movies