After I heard news that one of my favourite actresses Carey Mulligan would be starring in a film adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Far from the Madding Crowd, I went and bought the book. Since then, I’ve been busy working on the book and waiting eagerly for any and all updates about the film adaptation.

Today, I finally came across the first teaser trailer for the movie, which also features the beautiful vocals of Mulligan, who – besides being married to Marcus Mumford of Mumford and Sons, often provides her vocals for her films (The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis) and other musical endeavours (Belle and Sebastian’s “Write About Love“).

Far from the Madding Crowd is the story of the independent and beautiful Bathsheba Everdeen, played by Mulligan, who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperious and mature bachelor. The classic explores Bathsheba’s choices and passions, as well as the nature of relationships, love and the resilience of the human spirit.

What’s that you say? Bathsheba Everdeen. Katniss Everdeen. Yep, it’s no coincidence that the heroine of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling trilogy The Hunger Games shares the same last name as Hardy’s heroine. Collins has said that Katniss Everdeen owes her last name to Bathsheba Everdeen, adding that “The two are very different, but both struggle with knowing their hearts”. In addition, some have drawn parallels between Katniss’ ultimate choice and that of Bathsheba’s.

Oh and if we want to continue drawing parallels, then we must point out that Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss in the Hunger Games films, also sings in the latest installment of the franchise The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. In it she sings a haunting song called “The Hanging Tree“, written by the Lumineers.

Far from the Madding Crowd is directed by The Hunt director Thomas Vinterberg and will open in theatres some time next year.