As a youth, Ed Zwick must have really enjoyed history class as films with a period setting and/or stories set to the backdrop of war or conflict are a recurring theme in his work. Despite a gear change with "Love And Other Drugs" in 2010, Zwick looks to be returning to his bread and butter with "The Great Wall," a China-set historical epic.
With "Man Of Steel" star Henry Cavill and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" lead Benjamin Walker already signed up, production is reportedly eyeing some local, Chinese talent with one name in particular being courted, actress Zhang Ziyi. While it remains to be seen what role she will take, at the very least, it's good see her name bandied around in a positive light after some recent bad press.
Legendary East — an offshoot of Legendary Pictures — are also looking to push production back until 2013. Nothing major behind it, though, as they're merely hoping shoot in China and New Zealand and it's apparently better off logistically/weather wise to kick off in the spring.
Set in 15th century China, "The Great Wall" center on British warriors who happen upon the hurried construction of the titular wall and, during the night, discover that it isn't just to keep out the Mongols but that there's something inhuman and more dangerous about it. We had a quick look around to try find if this is based on any truth/rumor/theory but found nothing so we're presuming they're rewriting history here? The film is noted to be based on an idea by Legendary CEO Thomas Tull and Max Brooks. It's an interesting enough concept, so we'll see how this develops. [Deadline]