Sony to develop 'Romeo and Juliet' reimagining titled 'Verona'

Los Angeles: Sony Pictures is in talks to develop a reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', titled 'Verona'.

The film company has tapped Joe Roth to produce, with Neil Widener and Gavin James on hand to write the script, said The Hollywood Reporter. Verona is the name of the city that became the setting of Shakespeare's famous tale.

Details of "Verona" are still kept under tight wraps. It is, however, reported that the story will revolve around "a love affair between two teens from opposing Italian families, but the script is said to re-imagine the classic love story through a lens of an epic, '300'-style world."

Directed by Zack Snyder, "300" is a gritty take on the ancient Battle of Thermopylae between 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), and the massive Persian army, led by Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro).

Casting, production and release dates of the upcoming 'Romeo and Juliet' movie are expected to be announced soon.