New Take on Shakespeare Tragedy ROMEO & JULIET Heading to Big Screen

Deadline reports that Sony Pictures has acquired the rights to VERONA, a possible new take on the Shakespeare classic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet." The project was penned by Neil Widener & Gavin James with Joe Roth and Palak Patel producing.

According to the report, Hannah Minghella will oversee for the film for the studio alongside Matt Milam.

Written by Shakespeare early in his career, the play follows two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It is considered among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays.

ROMEO AND JULIET last appeared on Broadway in 2013 and starred Orlando Bloom in his Broadway debut opposite two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad.