HERE: Michelle Dockery Joins Cast of Richard McGuire’s Graphic Novel Adaptation

Michelle Dockery cast in Zemeckis’ adaptation of Richard McGuire’s graphic novel

Michelle Dockery will take on a role in the movie adaptation of Richard McGuire’s innovative graphic novel Here.

Ms. Dockery is one busy lady these days. Even while preparing for her role as the (presumed) antagonist in Don’t Feed the Children, she joins the cast of Here, already in production. Both roles are sure to demonstrate her versatility beyond that of the one best known in the Downton Abbey franchise, but especially in Here, since the eponymous graphic novel itself takes an ingenious approach to that genre.

The graphic novel story of “Here” takes place in a single area, seemingly subject to quantum string theory which opens up various portals in time to which the reader is privy. McGuire achieves this, quite cleverly, by illustrating the narrative as a scrapbook or photo album — or if viewed online, like a slideshow. He imposes one or more panels onto the main one, in most cases, with the years notated — again, in most cases. Some of the panels show a linear sequence of events, more or less, while others suggest only a singular, momentary appearance.

Various artistic techniques are used in the panels in the 2014 edition, including some skillful watercolors, though a pared down, abridged version available for free on line, pencil sketched like a movie storyboard.

Speaking of storyboards, to say that those set to filming this remarkable piece have their work cut out for them is an understatement. But director Robert Zemeckis has already broken similar ground before with Forrest Gump, along with much acclaimed co-writer Eric Roth. But that film’s narrative was straightforward and linear, and the main protagonist Forrest was a passive, nearly oblivious guy with practically no arc at all. But more to the point, there was only one time-space continuum to deal with.

And we can only wonder to what extent, if any, Richard McGuire will lend his substantial expertise, as he had in Fears of the Dark. But if Here ends up anywhere near as intriguing as his source materials, it should be just as triumphant.

Ms. Dockery will add her formidable talents to a few in the cast that have also worked with Zemeckis and Roth. Chief among these veterans are Tom Hanks (this is his fifth collaboration with Zemeckis) and Robin Wright (House of Cards). She will join a host of fellow British performers as well, including Kelly Reilly (Yellowstone), Dexter Sol Ansell (The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), Harry Marcus (Beauty and the Beast), Faith Delaney (The Tower), Frances and Mamie Barry. Documentary filmmaker Leslie Zemeckis (Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer) is also in the cast.

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Here will be released in U.S. theaters through Sony Pictures Entertainment, but no release date has yet been given. Want up-to-the-minute notifications? FilmBook staff members publish articles by Email, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Reddit, and Flipboard. This news was brought to our attention by Deadline.