ITV will update Tom Jones novel for modern generation
ITV looks set to adapt the classic 18th century novel Tom Jones with an update for the #MeToo generation.
The book, which was famously made into the Oscar-winning 1963 movie with Albert Finney, follows the adventures of foundling Tom and was scandalous at the time it was released.
The Henry Fielding novel – which actually comprises 18 smaller books – is set to be adapted this time around by Gwyneth Hughes (The Girl, Vanity Fair), according to the Radio Times.
"I hadn't read the book before, and I think I'd inherited a vague idea that it's a slightly unpleasant bawdy romp with a lecherous hero and a wimpy girlfriend," she explained.
"How wrong can you be? It turns out that Tom Jones is a great romance, and a rollicking adventure story, full of twists and turns and surprises."
Arguing its relevance to today, Hughes added: "These days we are all hyper alert to issues of consent and sex equality. But Henry Fielding was there before us.
"Almost 300 years ago, he was writing men and women with equal human abilities in love and sexual desire, and his moral compass was clear, compassionate and humorous. Tom never has sex with a woman who doesn't want him.
"All he wants is to be a gentleman and marry Sophia. They are very young lovers on a long and bumpy journey, and I'm sure we will all want to be there."
The ITV version is set to be produced by Mammoth Screen – behind the likes of Poldark and Victoria – which is "in talks with a major star" about taking on the titular role.
However, it has not officially been given the green light yet, so watch this space.
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