Danny Boyle's 'Frankenstein' U.K. Stageplay To Hit Theaters Globally On March 17

Version Two With The Actors In Switched Roles Arrives March 24

While there are signs that Danny Boyle will return to the big screen again -- the recently announced possible-recollaboration with Simon Beaufoy -- we may need to wait a minute as the director is going to be busy throughout 2011 and 2012 with Olympic preparations (he's co-directing the opening ceremonies with Stephen Daldry) and his "Frankenstein" play which is currently in previews in the U.K.

It's a bit of a shame considering his latest "127 Hours," is an inspiring drama, as good as anything he's ever made, but audiences are routinely ignoring it and it's also going to come up emptyhanded at the Oscars. We digress as there will actually be something coming to screens a lot sooner than any of us thought. U.K. audiences who can't afford theater prices and international audiences who cannot physically be there will still get an opportunity to witness Boyle's fascinating "Frankenstein" creation.

Starring Johnny Lee Miller (Boyle's "Trainspotting") and Benedict Cumberbatch ("Atonement," the BBC's "Sherlock"), the stageplay will be broadcast live in HD via satellite on 375 screens across the globe on March 17, including 85 screens in the U.S. The U.K. and Europe will get another theatrical broadcast on March 24. The interesting twist: Miller and Cumberbatch will switch roles on the 24th. So if you catch it twice, you'll see it once with Dr. Frankenstein played by Cumberbatch and the Monster by Miller, and then the roles will reverse a few days later.

Those of us not at SXSW will have to make our best efforts to see the live broadcast onscreen. Boyle is known for his film work internationally, but actually started out as a theater director before he made the leap to feature films. "Frankenstein" will be his first play in 15 years. Another plus, British techno duo Underworld, who co-scored Boyle's sci-fi drama, "Sunshine" to glorious effect with John Murphy ("28 Days Later"), will be providing the music to this stageplay as well, which is a terrifically exciting prospect.

If you want to catch the play live, you'll have to work quickly. Its initial 10-week run sold out almost immediately. The play has been extended to May, so if you're in the U.K., you'll get your final shot to nab tickets soon. [Deadline]