"The Avengers" director Joss Whedon switched from comic books to classic English literature. Whedon's first release from his micro-studio Bellwether was an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," which Whedon shot in 12 days on location in Santa Monica, Calif. Whedon familiars Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Filion, Clark Gregg and more starred.
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Shakespeare 2.0: The Bard onscreen

'Much Ado About Nothing,' 2012

“The Avengers” director Joss Whedon switched from comic books to classic English literature. Whedon’s first release from his micro-studio Bellwether was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” which Whedon shot in 12 days on location in Santa Monica, Calif. Whedon familiars Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Filion, Clark Gregg and more starred.

  (Matt Sayles / AP)

'Richard III,' 1995

Ian McKellen -- one of the most acclaimed Shakespearean actors of the last 50 years -- gives one of his best performances in this film adaptation of the Bard’s historical drama about the murderous hunchbacked monarch. As directed by Richard Loncraine and based on the stage production for the Royal National Theatre, this “Richard” is set apart from others because the action takes place in a fascist-leaning England of the 1930s.

  (Alex Bailey / The Los Angeles Times)

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