Christopher Nolan’s WWII film DUNKIRK may star Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh & Mark Rylance

Christopher Nolan’s WWII film DUNKIRK may star Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh & Mark Rylance

Christopher Nolan - Image

THE DARK KNIGHT trilogy, outside of being highly successful at the box office, solidified director Christopher Nolan as someone to watch. His last movie, the Matthew McConaughey vehicle INTERSTELLAR, showed he could handle Sci-Fi as well, and he’s done period pieces with films like THE PRESTIGE. Many wondered what his next project would be, and now we know a little bit about it. In many ways, this could be the most culturally important project he’s ever worked on. DUNKIRK is set during the legendary Dunkirk evacuation during World War II. If you’re not familiar with the events in question, here’s the description from Wikipedia:

The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between 27 May and 4 June 1940, during World War II. The operation was decided upon when large numbers of Belgian, British, and French troops were cut off and surrounded by the German army during the Battle of France. In a speech to the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called the events in France “a colossal military disaster”, saying “the whole root and core and brain of the British Army” had been stranded at Dunkirk and seemed about to perish or be captured. In his We shall fight on the beaches speech on 4 June, he hailed their rescue as a “miracle of deliverance”.

Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy are in talks for lead roles, and the casting is underway for unknown actors to make up the ensemble. You can read the studio press release below, which offers limited information, but it should be interesting to see how the project shapes up. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN TO DIRECT THE EPIC ACTION THRILLER “DUNKIRK” FOR WARNER BROS. PICTURES

BURBANK, CA – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Christopher Nolan will direct “Dunkirk” from his own original screenplay. An epic action thriller, “Dunkirk” is set during the legendary evacuation. The announcement was made by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production. The large scale film will be shot on a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large format film photography for maximum image quality and high impact immersion. Shooting will begin in May using many of the real locations of the true-life events, which form the background for the story.

The cast will be headed by yet-to-be cast unknowns. Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy are currently in talks to join the ensemble. Nolan will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner Emma Thomas.

Silverman stated, “We are thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Christopher Nolan, a singular filmmaker who has created some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films of all time. ‘Dunkirk’ is a gripping and powerful story and we are excited to see Chris, Emma and their cast realize it on the big screen.”

Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing “Dunkirk” worldwide and has slated the film for a July 21, 2017 release. The film will be released theatrically on IMAX, 70mm, 35mm and all other screens.

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About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.