Sir Ridley Scott is attached to direct a film about the Battle of Britain.
The 79-year-old British filmmaker – who is renowned for his work on sci-fi films, ‘Blade Runner, ‘Prometheus’ and ‘Alien’ – has reportedly teamed up with 20th Century Fox to helm the World War II movie which is based on the historical battle.
According to Deadline, Scott will work closely with its screenwriter Matthew Orton, who penned WWII drama ‘Operational Finale’ starring Oscar Isaac, on the project.
It is not yet known what direction the script will take but the Battle of Britain is centered from 10 July until 31 October 1940 when the British Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully defended the UK from the invading German Air Force (Luftwaffe) as the Nazis tried to cripple and the conquer the country with a bombing campaign known as the Blitz.
The film rights were purchased by Fox last year and Scott Free is down to produce alongside Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell, with Steven Asbell on board for Fox.
Steven Spielberg’s ‘Bridge of Spies’ writer, Matt Charman, will executive produce the film. He has worked with Orton on ‘Guiding Lights’ back in 2015.
Meanwhile, Orton is currently writing political thriller ‘Reason of State’, with Scott in charge of Sony’s ‘All The Money In The World’ – a drama about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III. In addition to ‘The Cartel’ and his next movie to hit cinema screens is ‘Alien: Covenant’ which is released on May 19 followed by its sequel scheduled for 2018.
Scott – who is married to Costa Rican actress-and-producer Giannina Facio – also worked as a producer on ‘Blade Runner 2049’, the Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel to his 1982 cult classic.