Focus Features has acquired the U.S. rights to Chloé Zhao's upcoming film 'Hamnet', adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's bestselling novel about William Shakespeare's wife, Agnes, as she copes with the death of their son, Hamnet. The film will star Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, with Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn also joining the cast, and features notable producers including Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes. Zhao co-wrote the screenplay with O'Farrell, and principal photography began last month in Wales. The film is being produced by Amblin Partners, Hera Pictures, and Neal Street Productions, with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution. 'Hamnet' expands on the emotional and artistic repercussions of the loss, and the novel has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Focus Features is also set to release a diverse slate of upcoming films, including a biopic about Pharrell Williams and a reimagining of 'Nosferatu'.