Director Simon West, the action maestro behind Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and The Expendables 2 , is stepping into the world of World War II espionage with his next project, Fortitude.
Described as a historical action-adventure rooted in true events, the film will spotlight the daring British intelligence operations that used trickery, theatrics, and spies to outwit the Nazis and shift the trajectory of the war.
The script, written by producer Simon Afram (Lear Rex), is set to begin filming this summer in London. Casting is currently underway.
The film follows “the brilliance of British Army officers Dudley Clarke and Thomas Argyll ‘Tar’ Robertson, who deployed an elaborate web of deception campaigns including fictitious armies, fake military equipment, and a network of double agents to mislead Nazi Intelligence.
“Among them was Yugoslavian playboy Dusko Popov, a real-life double agent. He helped lay the blueprint for James Bond, turning real-life espionage into legend, which ultimately inspired Ian Fleming’s novels.”
Fortitude aims to zoom out and chronicle a broader scope of clever wartime cons, with historical consultation by Joshua Levine, known for his work on Dunkirk and Blitz. The emphasis will be on how imagination, not just military might, helped turn the tide of war.
West shared in a statement: “Fortitude is a tribute to the power of ingenuity, imagination, and the human spirit against all odds. In a moment when bullets couldn’t win the battle, it was creativity that turned the tide. I’m truly excited to bring this untold chapter of history to life.”
West has always had a flair for high-octane spectacle, but with Fortitude, he’s channeling that energy into something a little different and I’m curious to see how he brings this story to life.
Source: Deadline
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