LOS ANGELES– New Line Cinema has hired Oscar-winning screenwriter Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons) to adapt the bestselling British fantasy novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell for the big screen.

Based on author Susanna Clarke’s critically acclaimed debut novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell tells the story of two feuding magicians who attempt to restore English magic in the age of Napoleon and combines the dark mythological fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien with the social comedy of Jane Austen.

“Christopher's immense wit and intelligence make him ideally suited to adapt this brilliant, rich novel,” said New Line’s Executive VP Production Mark Ordesky, who is overseeing the project.

Hampton, who received a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for his script to 1988’s Dangerous Liaisons, has also written such critically acclaimed films as Imagining Argentina and The Quiet American.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is being produced by Clarke in partnership with Nick Martson’s recently formed production banner Cuba Pictures.

The project was brought into New Line Cinema by Ordesky and Senior VP European Production Ileen Maisel.

About New Line Cinema Corporation:
New Line Cinema is the oldest and most successful independent film company in the world. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, licensing, merchandising and international marketing and distribution. New Line is a pioneer in franchise filmmaking and its Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the most successful film franchise in history. Together with its subsidiary, Fine Line Features, New Line is a unit of Time Warner.