4 Shakespeare films to get excited about in 2014

Even though the letters IMDb would have been utter nonsense to William Shakespeare, he's now got a credit list longer than a lot of people's arms put together.

This year promises to offer up another bunch of big screen adaptations and we've whittled it down to the four that you really should be looking out for. So make a note and then laminate that note and then put that laminated note in your wallet.

(Images: All Star)

Cymbeline

Contemporary takes on the Bard's great work can be hit and miss. For every Baz Luhrman's Romeo + Juliet, there's a, ermmm, Gnomeo & Juliet, but we're holding out hope for this one. An adaptation of one of Shakespeare's lesser-known plays, the action has been moved to modern-day New York and stars Ethan Hawke, Milla Jovovich, Penn Badgley and Ed Harris as Cymbeline. The trailer can be seen here and shows "a grudge war between corrupt cops and a drug-dealing biker gang in modern America". It will hit cinemas later this year.

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Macbeth

Probably the most hotly anticipated film on the list, this take on Shakespeare's darkest tragedy has already assembled one hell of a double act. Recent Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender takes on lead duties while Marion Cotillard, replacing Natalie Portman, will be his devious wife. To make matters even more promising, it's being directed by Justin Kurzel, who wrote and directed the harrowing crime thriller Snowtown. It's also been picked up by the Weinsteins which means it's likely to get a hefty push for Oscars.

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Enemy Of Man

Yet another Macbeth adaptation here but taking a slightly less traditional view of the material. According to the official Facebook page, this one will be "stripping back the dialogue and cranking up the action" which should prove interesting. It stars Sean Bean, Rupert Grint, James D'Arcy and Charles Dance and looks like it will take place largely on the battlefield. It'll be directed by actor Vincent Regan, who has starred in 300 and Snow White and the Huntsman.

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Rosaline

After the slightly underwhelming performance of the last incarnation of Romeo & Juliet, starring Hailee Stanfield, this alternate take hopes to do a whole load better. It's set to star Alison Williams, that's Marnie in Girls, as the titular character, better known as Romeo's jilted love and the cousin of Juliet. We then see the classic tragedy through her eyes. It'll be a comedic take and despite being set in the correct time, it'll use modern language. Dave Franco and Lily Collins are rumoured to take on the roles of the doomed lovers.