Justin Chadwick has signed on to direct Ironbow: The Legend of William Tell for Spyglass, says The Hollywood Reporter.
The William Tell legend centers on a crossbow marksman who, when he would not bow to Austrian rule, was forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head in exchange for freedom. The local overlord who commanded the act noticed that Tell had a second arrow in his quiver, which Tell told him was meant for the overlord if the son was killed. Tell was promptly arrested but eventually escaped and killed the overlord, sparking a rebellion that led to the formation of the Swiss Confederation.
Jay Wolpert (The Count of Monte Cristo) wrote the script. Spyglass’ Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum and Jonathan Glickman are producing.