"Be ruled by me, forget to think of her."
Ah, if only Romeo had heeded this advice, things maybe wouldn't have gone so horribly wrong.
But then, it wouldn't be "Romeo and Juliet."
It is Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, who tries to warn the doomed young lover, and it is Kodi Smit-McPhee who will play Benvolio in the latest cinematic version of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, according to Variety.
Kodi, who's best known for his roles in "The Road" and "Let Me In," joins a cast that includes Hailee Steinfeld (the object of Romeo's affections, Juliet), Holly Hunter (Juliet's ever-witty Nurse) and Edward Westwick (Juliet's hot-tempered, over-protective cousin, Tybalt).
This latest "R&J" is being directed by Carlo Carlei with a screenplay by Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park").
Well, it's going to be nice to see and "Romeo and Juliet" that actually stars, you know, kids (or, in the case of Westwick, kids-ish). No word yet on who will be playing the first half of the title role, though we expect it will be someone 'round Hailee Steinfeld's age (14).
"Romeo and Juliet" begins production this summer in Italy.
