First look at Eddie Izzard’s DOCTOR JEKYLL from the next modern take on the classic

A first photo has been released from the upcoming film, Doctor Jekylla modern take on the classic tale, featuring an actor/comedian Eddie Izzard as Dr. Nina Jekyll. The film is directed by Joe Stephenson (Chicken, Agatha and the Midnight Murders) from a script Dan Kelly-Mulhern.

“Doctor Jekyll follows reclusive Nina Jekyll (Izzard) who befriends her newly hired assistant, Rob, played by up-and-coming actor Scott Chambers (Chicken) who must work together to stop Hyde from destroying her life.

Stephenson recently spoke with Fangoria about the project, explaining:

“There have been more than 100 film adaptations of [Robert Louis] Stevenson’s novella, but there was never a trans Dr. Jekyll. There seems to be some assumption that because Nina is a trans character, we’re going to make it gender somehow. This is not the case; the themes of our film are faithful to the original work.”

He added:

“I feel like some demographics need help seeing the gender identity of people from the past. Nina Jekyll’s transsexuality is by no means all that she is!”

The director pointed out that “the tone of the film is a (hopefully) surprising mix of dark humor and suspense that flows into horror. Even in its darkest moments we wink at the films of a certain era, and flashes of camp within a twisted dark fairytale combine to create a tone I don’t see much anymore…and I wish I did!”

Doctor Jekyll will be out later this year, but we don’t have a release date yet. Check out the photo above and let us know if you’re eager to check it out.