Alert Janeites SylviaM and Patrizia sent us word that Rupert Penry-Jones will play Captain Wentworth in Persuasion 2007. Sylvia also found out that Anthony Head (yes, Giles on Buffy) will play Sir Walter Elliot. (We know quite a few Janeites who also love Buffy so this will be delightful news to them, we are sure!)

“Altered beyond his knowledge.” Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for he was not altered, or not for the worse. She had already acknowledged it to herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of her as he would. No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look, in no respect lessening his personal advantages. She had seen the same Frederick Wentworth.

*fans self*

More? You want more? Oh, all right!

There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth’s face at this speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth, which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs. Musgrove’s kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get rid of him; but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected by any who understood him less than herself; in another moment he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly afterwards coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs. Musgrove were sitting, took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy and natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all that was real and unabsurd in the parent’s feelings.

Here is a link to a Rupert Penry-Jones fansite with a lovely gallery. Swoon away, you naval enthusiasts (and you know who you are). 😉

(Although it occurs to us that perhaps we should not get too excited, for the news has not been verified anywhere that we can see. It could have been an overzealous fan sending in the news to the IMDB. We are treating this as an unconfirmed rumor for the nonce. Remember Orlando Bloom’s sister playing Charlotte Lucas? That was on IMDB, too.) ETA August 31: See comments–Clerkenwell Films site now confirms Sally Hawkins, Penry-Jones and Julia Davis (possibly Miss Elliot?) in the cast.

Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character; vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held in society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion.

Here is his official site, which confirms his role in the film on the News page. Tony is so totally going to rock in this role, in our not so humble opinion. But do you think he might need to rouge a bit in daylight hours? *falls over laughing at own wit*