Before her passing earlier this year, acclaimed author Ursula K. Le Guin had been working on bringing her novel The Telling to the big screen. Today, the company behind it has announced it’s moving forward on the project, with a scifi favourite along for the ride.
Bayview Films has announced that Leena Pendharkar, director of the upcoming 20 Weeks, will write and direct the adaptation. It’s set to star Rekha Sharma of Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: Discovery, and V fame.
“I’m honored to bring the work of one of science fiction’s most esteemed writers to the screen especially in these times when strong female voices are needed,” Pendharkar told The Hollywood Reporter. “The Telling is a humanistic science fiction film about a woman trying to find her way in a culture overrun by technology.”
Published in 2000, the book is part of Le Guin’s Hainish Cycle universe. The lead character (Sutty Dass, who will be played by Sharma) travels from Earth to study a planet called Aka, where culture and beliefs are outlawed. There is, of course, a resistance on the planet attempting to keep traditions alive.
“I’ve been a fan of Ursula K. Le Guin’s science fiction and fantasy for many years,” said Bayview Film founder Rizwan Virk. “Our team had been working on the script for The Telling with her over the past few years, and we were extremely saddened to hear of her recent passing.”
Currently, the plan is for Pendharkar to shoot The Telling later this year for a theatrical release in 2019.