Michell will also helm a revival of Pinter's Betrayal at London’s Donmar Warehouse in the summer. Michell's films include Notting Hill and most recently Venus, featuring Peter O'Toole's Oscar-nominated performance.
The National production of Penhall's Landscape with Weapon begins rehearsals in April starring screen actor Tom Hollander ("The Libertine," "Gosford Park") and Julian Rhind-Tutt from British television's "Green Wing." Hollander’s stage credits include Osborne's Hotel in Amsterdam.
Landscape with Weapon reunites Penhall and Michell, who collaborated on the National's hit production of Blue/Orange. The creative team will also include Blue/Orange set and lighting designers William Dudley and Rick Fisher, respectively. Michell's other stage credits include the 2004 Donmar production of Pinter's Old Times.
Speaking to The Guardian newspaper about his latest play, Penhall said, "Tom and Julian are a double act to die for. Everybody signed up thrillingly quickly and willingly, so I have unusually high expectations. It felt like one of my heftier plays, requiring a heavyweight team, which is what we've got. I can't wait to get into rehearsals."
The National's artistic director Nicholas Hytner is due to announce his forthcoming season in two weeks.