Christopher Nolan prefers the real thing when it comes to almost every aspect of filmmaking. Whether it’s shooting on celluloid or using practical effects whenever possible, the director aims for realism, and for his upcoming WWII picture, he’s once again going the extra mile.
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The Independent (via Presse Océan) reports that the director has managed to get his hands on the French T-47 Class Destroyer, Maillé-Brézé, an actual battleship that was in use for decades (though not in Dunkirk). The ship will be brought back to functionality and used in the production of his upcoming movie. That’s certainly some commitment.
Meanwhile, the director is in the midst of casting the picture, which will feature unknown actors in the lead roles, while Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, and Mark Rylance, will round out supporting parts. The Wrap reports that newcomer Fionn Whitehead, who doesn’t even have an agent yet in the U.S., is Nolan’s choice for one of the two leads. Nothing is confirmed yet, but the director is in the midst of testing for both lead parts, the details of which are, of course, being kept secret. Meanwhile, Deadline is hearing that One Direction member Harry Styles is being offered a supporting role, and that British actors Jack Lowden and Aneurin Barnard are in talks for major roles as well.
"Dunkirk" will begin production in May, with the story inspired by Operation Dynamo, the near-miraculous evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and other Allied troops from the French seaport of Dunkirk, which took place from May-June of 1940. Hoyte van Hoytema ( "The Fighter," "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," "Her") is lensing the picture, with Hans Zimmer providing the score. "Dunkirk" opens on July 21, 2017.