Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan has optioned the rights to the book Grace O'Malley - The Biography of Ireland's Pirate Queen by Anne Chambers with production due to begin next year.
The feature film, supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, will be produced by Dublin's Wild Atlantic Pictures in collaboration with the Los Angeles-based Reclaim Entertainment Ventures.
Sheridan has been developing the project with author Chambers for a number of years, and it is to be followed by a planned television series.
The film will tell the true story of the meeting between Grace O'Malley and Britain's Queen Elizabeth I.
"When her youngest son is taken prisoner, Grace sails right up the Thames to confront Queen Elizabeth directly," said Wild Atlantic Pictures.
"Over the course of just one week, these leaders of two warring nations question each other's identity, pierce each other's wounds, win each other's respect, and come together as equals to define not only their nations, but their most intimate selves."
"Unlike traditional period dramas, Sheridan's vision for the film is raw and contemporary, exploring themes of sexuality, identity, and gender with a fresh and provocative lens," Wild Atlantic Pictures added.
"The project will not only depict Grace's legendary exploits but will also dive into her complex personal journey as a leader, mother, and survivor."
"This is a deeply personal passion project," said Sheridan.
"Every Irish woman knows Grace O'Malley's story. It is one of power, resilience, and rebellion. She defied gender norms, controlled her own destiny, and stood toe-to-toe with the most powerful woman in history."
Sheridan's recent credits include the teleplay for the series Say Nothing and executive producing the series Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.
In 2004, she was Oscar-nominated alongside her father Jim and her sister Naomi for the screenplay for Jim Sheridan's film In America.
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