Fox takes Peony in Love

The Lisa See novel Peony in Love is getting the adaptation treatment as Fox 2000 throws Erin Cressida Wilson to pen a script for this novel to be put onto the big screen, reports Variety. The tragic tale is set in 17th century China and was published in 2007. Producing the picture is Michael Ellenberg and Michael Costigan under Scott Free Productions along with Giannina Facio.

Peony’s father, a wealthy, cultured man with important political contacts, is planning a performance of The Peony Pavilion on his estate. This is seen by many as controversial because the opera may influence young women into imitating Liniang, starving themselves to death in hopes of finding love. Unfortunately, this is just what happens to Peony. She is deeply moved by the text and performance of The Peony Pavilion, having extensively written about her feelings and reactions to love in her copy of the text. On the evening of the opera performance, Peony accidentally meets a handsome young man. After four nighttime meetings, Peony falls in love, but she also falls into deep despair, feeling doomed because of being trapped in an arranged marriage.