It has been announced that a new romantic comedy exploring the true story of the 1914 West End production of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion is in the works, starring Helena Bonham Carter and Pierce Brosnan.  

Not Bloody Likely will tell the story of Shaw (played by Brosnan), bringing his new play Pygmalion (famously later adapted into the Oscar winning musical My Fair Lady) to the West End and his desire to get the great Mrs Pat Campbell (Bonham Carter) to play the role of Eliza Doolittle. But what is the reason for this desire? Does he want his play to have a legendary leading lady, or is this a chance to rekindle a love with the one that got away?

Joel Hopkins has written the piece and will be directing the film, having previously directed Love Punch, also starring Brosnan. The film project is being produced by David Braithwaite and Adam Rolston, the pair behind films including A Streetcat Named Bob. They said: “This is exactly the kind of film the world needs right now. A feel-good story that will make you laugh and make you cry for the right reasons. We can’t wait to get started!”

The film is due to begin production in the UK next spring with a release date yet to be announced.