Tony winner Nicholas Hytner — who directed The History Boys and The Lady In The Van on stage — will direct the film adaptation of the memoir by Tony winner Bennett, which is based on the playwright's experiences with Miss Shepherd, a vagrant who parked her old van in his driveway and stayed for 15 years.
Smith, who plays Miss Shepherd — the role she created on stage — will be joined by Alex Jennings (A Midsummer Night's Dream, "The Queen"), who will play the role of Bennett.
Also slated for the film adaptation are Dominic Cooper, Samuel Anderson, James Corden, Samuel Barnett, Jamie Parker, Russell Tovey, Jim Broadbent and Gwen Taylor.
Frances de la Tour, who won a 2006 Tony for her performance in The History Boys, will play Ursula Vaughan Williams, a poet, author and librettist and the widow of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
As previously reported, Damian Jones ("Belle," "The Iron Lady") and Kevin Loader ("Venus," "In The Loop") will produce, along with Hytner. Miles Ketley and Charles Moore will serve as executive producers. The film is aiming for a worldwide release in late 2015.
