The "Walk the Line" actress is executive-producing a revamp of the Charles Dickens classic "Great Expectations" for the network, which has purchased a script order for the project, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The project, dubbed "Expectations," will focus on a small-town girl with big dreams of making it in the city who is quickly disillusioned by the harsh reality of living in San Francisco until her fortunes unexpectedly turn thanks to an anonymous benefactor.
J. Mills Goodloe, who penned the 2002 Gary Sinise film "A Gentleman's Game" and co-wrote the 2007 Terrence Howard drama "Pride," will write the script.
Witherspoon will executive-produce with Bruna Papandrea, Meghan Lyvers and Evelyn O'Neill. "Expectations" will be produced by CBS TV Studio, Television 360 and Pacific Standard.
The CW appears to be developing a taste for bringing new twists to literary classics. The network is also developing a modern-day retelling of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," with "Charlie's Angels" director McG executive-producing.
