Taymor, who is currently represented on Broadway with the previewing Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark (as well as the hit The Lion King), penned the screenplay based on the William Shakespeare classic.

In addition to Mirren, the starry company also features Russell Brand, Alfred Molina, Djimon Hounsou, David Strathairn, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, Ben Whishaw, Reeve Carney (who is now starring as Spider-Man), Felicity Jones and Tom Conti.

"In her big-screen adaptation of Shakespeare's mystical thriller 'The Tempest,'" according to production notes, "Academy Award-nominated Julie Taymor ('Across the Universe,' 'Frida,' 'Titus') brings an original dynamic to the story by changing the gender of the sorcerer Prospero into the sorceress Prospera, portrayed by Oscar winner Helen Mirren ('The Queen'). Prospera's journey spirals through vengeance to forgiveness as she reigns over a magical island, cares for her young daughter, Miranda, and unleashes her powers against shipwrecked enemies in this exciting, masterly mix of romance, tragicomedy and the supernatural."

Read what Julie Taymor has to say about "The Tempest" in Playbill.com's Dec. 10 Stage to Screens column.

Producers are Taymor, Robert Chartoff, Lynn Hendee, Julia Taylor-Stanley and Jason K. Lau; executive producers are Ron Bozman, Tino Puri, Rohit Khattar, Stewart Till, Anthony Buckner and Greg Strasburg.

For more information visit www.Tempest-TheMovie.com.