I think she would bring a freshness and innocence to the role and have the whole European look and feel – but you’d have to screen-test her to see if you like her. Maybe she could have an English accent to reflect her European heritage? Or even a Russian accent? And Alexander an American one? Mia Wasikowska would be REALLY good as Tatiana! She’s an Australian actress and she was in the 2011 ‘Jane Eyre’ film if you wanted a reference. Henry Cavill would look really good as Shura because he is so tall, dark, and handsome! For Tatiana though – I think the actress needs to be kind of unknown… And obviously small, pretty, blonde, thin, cheeky, intelligent, innocent, etc.

The actors, though, I think will play a big part in the movie success. The Bronze Horseman begins on 22 June 1941 in Leningrad, when war is declared between the Soviet Union and Germany. Great news!! I really hope this film is a success and it is so great to hear that you are writing the screenplay – I was worried that it was going to become overdeveloped and hollywood-ised.

The bronze horseman by paullina simons