Atkinson to star in David Copperfield movie

The Bean star will play the eternally optimistic Mr Micawber in the Charles Dickens classic, following in the footsteps of W. C. Fields, who played the role in the classic 1934 version.

Director Peter Howitt told The Times: ‘Rowan is a very vulnerable man, which is why his characters are so endearing. Because Mr Micawber is a very fallible and endearing character, Rowan will bring a lot of strengths to the part.’

The £15million British production, expected to start shooting next year, will be a gritty adaptation that does not shy away from the child abuse in the novel, Howitt added.

He said: ‘If you read the book, there’s a huge amount of child abuse in there. Copperfield is emotionally abused, psychologically abused and physically abused by various people.

‘I’m surprised no one has looked at that before. It’s all been done in a mannered way.’

Published: 1 May 2007