Emma-Bates-Jillian-Morgese-and-Amy-Acker-in-Much-Ado-About-NothingJoss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing instantly became one of my favourite films of all time when I saw it at its TIFF debut last year, and naturally I can’t wait to see it again this summer.

Shot in just twelve days in Whedon’s own home, the film gives a contemporary setting to the Shakespeare play, with Whedon bringing his usual brilliance and wit to the table whilst still using the original text.

The first trailer for Much Ado About Nothing is set to debut later today. And ahead of that, we’ve just been sent the official press release confirming that the UK release date will be 14th June. And to go alongside it, we’ve got a great new image to share.

“Leonato (Clark Gregg), the governor of Messina, is visited by his friend Don Pedro (Reed Diamond), who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother Don John (Sean Maher). Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Claudio (Fran Kranz).  While in Messina, Claudio falls for Leonato’s daughter Hero (Jillian Morgese), and Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice (Amy Acker), the governor’s niece. The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange, with Leonato, their marriage.

In the days leading up to the ceremony, Don Pedro, with the help of Leonato, Claudio and Hero, attempts to sport with Benedick and Beatrice in an effort to trick the two into falling in love. Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, with the help of his allies Conrade (Riki Lindhome) and Borachio (Spencer Treat Clark), plots against the happy couple, using his own form of trickery to try to destroy the marriage before it begins. A series of comic and tragic events may continue to keep the two couples from truly finding happiness, but then again perhaps love may prevail.”

Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker take the lead here, joined by an utterly stellar cast, led by Fran Kranz, Clark Gregg, Sean Maher, Jillian Morgese, Ashley Johnson, Tom Lenk, Reed Diamond, Emma Bates, and of course the ever-brilliant Nathan Fillion

Whedon is directing from his own script, adapting the original play by Shakespeare (and using the original dialogue).

I absolutely loved the film when I saw it out in Toronto last September – you can read our five-star review here – and really can’t wait to see it again this June. If you’re a fan of Whedon’s work, then you’ll of course know that the cast is made up almost entirely of past collaborators, and it’s a dream come true for any Whedon fan to see them all together.

Much Ado About Nothing is due to be given a limited release in the US on 7th June, with its UK release date now officially set for 14th June, followed by a wide US release date on 21st June. For now, here’s the brilliant new image. If you’ve read or seen the play, then you’ll no doubt know exactly which scene this is taken from.

Emma-Bates-Jillian-Morgese-and-Amy-Acker-in-Much-Ado-About-Nothing