"The film we've ended up with was not necessarily the film that was scripted, " agrees producer Tim Bevan.

BBC: Is Keira Knightley's new Anna Karenina film a gamble?

The source of Universal's confidence: Working Title, Universal's London-based production house run by Tim Bevan, 43, and Eric Fellner, 42.

FORBES: Hollywood On The Thames

"We anticipate that this will be a defining screen version of Anna Karenina, " said Tim Bevan, of Working Title Films.

BBC: Keira Knightley to play Anna Karenina in new film

Richardson is divorced from Daisy's father, founder of Working Title films Tim Bevan, but the pair share custody of their daughter.

BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Richardson takes Nip/Tuck break