Movie questions Shakespeare's work

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Did Shakespeare write his own plays?

That question is at the heart of a new movie opening Friday called "Anonymous."

Just like a Shakespeare play, "Anonymous" is part tragedy, comedy and romance in the quest to discover who is the true Shakespeare.

The film suggests the real Shakespeare is the Earl of Oxford, whom asks playwright Ben Jonson to be the front man for his work.

Jonson refuses, and instead, a drunken semi-illiterate actor named William Shakespeare takes credit for the plays.

Director Roland Emmerich was given the script 10 years ago.

"Over the years, it became an obsession, and then you are standing on a movie set filming it," said Emmerich.

It's a new genre for the director, who is known for making blockbusters such as "2012," "Godzilla" and "Independence Day."

"Art movies can ask big questions, and the movie asks a lot of questions," said Emmerich. "It kind of probes a little bit deeper into this time we think we know."

"Anonymous" is rated PG-13.

Emmerich has 10 reasons why he thinks Shakespeare is a fraud.