A multi-million pound budget is being sought for a new film exploring the lives of Haworth’s legendary literary sisters.

Yorkshire-based Clothworkers Films has revealed an estimated cost of £10 million for its planned biopic about the Bronte siblings – Charlotte, Emily and Anne.

The production company says the film will be the world’s first English language project of its kind, though it is not yet ready to announce which actors will play the lead roles. The film is due to be released on April 21, 2016.

Director David Anthony Thomas, himself a lifelong Bronte fan, said: “We’re looking forward to announcing the first cast members as soon as possible.

“I spent quite a lot of time around Haworth and on the moors during breaks from pre-production of our last film.

“It’s very beautiful and it’s a shame many Bronte adaptations have chosen to use other counties, such as Derbyshire, as a backdrop.”

He anticipates the film could emulate the success of previous productions in increasing the numbers of people visiting Bronte country, and is encouraged by the global media interest in the film.

Explaining the enduring appeal of the Brontes, he said: “I think much of it has to do with the raw talent of the women, their very modern ideas and the greatness within the novels themselves.

“Their passion is clearly evident in their work and their unique voice is, amongst other things, a result of their literal distance from other prominent authors of the time.

“Their own story is so incredible, and their hidden identities caused a stir on both sides of the Atlantic, which generated interest that has lasted to this day.”

Despite the sisters’ tragically short lives, he is not expecting his film to be entirely bleak.

He said: “Although anyone familiar with the story will understandably be expecting to shed a tear or two, I think there’s much more to the story than that.

“We can pity the sad events in their lives, but I also want to celebrate their resilience and their successes. All three sisters were happy at some point, and all three were widely celebrated and revered in their lifetimes.

“It’s very important to me to remain faithful to the siblings and their stories where previous attempts have failed. But in order to produce a large production intended for the international market, we need to make sure it’s accessible to the layman and functions as a complete work.”