Filmmaker Cary Fukunaga doesn’t have a huge number of directorial gigs under his belt. However, over the course of his career, one thing has been certain—he’s not a director that likes to repeat himself. From the Spanish-language film, “Sin Nombre,” that marked his directorial debut to the period film,” Jane Eyre,” to the crime drama series, “True Detective,” and many more, Fukunaga isn’t one that finds himself working on similar projects back-to-back. So, it shouldn’t make anyone surprised that the man, who most recently helmed a James Bond film, “No Time to Die,” would love to work on an adaptation of a British war novel that has been made into several films over its near-100-year life.
Speaking to Mr. Porter, the filmmaker was asked a series of 33 questions. While most of them were fairly banal and focused on grooming habits and hobbies, Fukunaga was asked which film he would most like to remake. His answer might surprise you.
He replied, “‘Beau Geste,’ but set in a contemporary war.”
For those not familiar with the PC Wren novel of the same name that was made into a variety of feature films over the past 100 years, “Beau Geste” tells the story of three British brothers that all enlist in the French Foreign Legion after the theft of a jewel from a relative’s house. As you might have gathered from Fukunaga’s answer, the original novel is set in the era before World War I. Obviously, the director is interested in updating that story a bit.
“Beau Geste” has been adapted a number of times, including in 1926, 1939, 1966, and 1982. Filmmakers such as William A. Wellman, Douglas Heyes, and Herbert Brenon have all taken their shots at adapting the novel.
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It’s unclear if Fukunaga has made any attempts to adapt “Beau Geste,” yet. As mentioned, he’s currently awaiting the release of “No Time To Die.” He’s also attached as a producer on an upcoming TV version of “Last of the Mohicans.” So, we’ll just have to wait and see what Fukunaga has up his sleeve next and if his version of “Beau Geste” will ever get a chance to be produced.