Latest of The Forgotten Soldier Movie

[Doug Nash]

Here's the latest news from a person who is connected with the project:

Paul Verhoeven has secured sufficient backing to finance the film. It will go ahead after 5 years of finding a director, writing a screenplay, getting permissions from the author and publisher and etc. Kudos to John Beckner for going above and beyond the call of duty to get it this far.

Casting is now in progress for the lead roles - the role of Guy Sajer has been narrowed down to 6 men, all of whom are well known actors. One is an American, the rest are Europeans. The lead contender is from the UK and is relatively well known in the US - though he is in his mid- to late-20s, he could easily pass for a teenager.

There has been no casting call for overweight, balding middle-aged WWII reenactors, which rules me out (verdammt!)

That's it for now - more to follow as it becomes known.

Cheers,
Doug Nash

[jerimiah]

did the movie ever come out

[Doug Nash]

No - the earliest production would start would be the summer of '09

[cha]

I hope it comes out soon enough this story deserves to be told on the big screen. Funny this was just posted I just started reading the book again about a week ago. I still need to pick up a hardcover edition.

[kamehouse]

Thanks Doug for creating another thread about the movie and its development.
Following your advices ,I have a copy of the French version which I will start to read as soon as I have finished Richard Hargreaves' book.
Do you have a link about the 6 actors thought for the role?

[cha]

Yes would be nice to see the faces of the few they have in mind.
I wonder who will get Hals and the veteran.

[Larso]

Thanks for that update Doug - I've been dying to know what was happening since you first spread the news.

I wonder if it's these people who are chasing the working Jagdpanther?

[Doug Nash]

Don't know about the Jagdpanther - I do know that there's a large amount of behind-the-scenes activity that goes on in preparation for a film that happens independently of the actual production - there's a great deal of parallel planning that goes on to ensure that everything comes together at the right time - actors, sets, props, vehicles, life support (logistics) and crew & etc. Any film production is a major military operation in its own right!
But honestly, I am not officially involved in the project - I guess you can say that I know people, but don't know people, if you catch my drift. I have no influence on casting, location, filming, etc. I did have a little to do with the screenplay, but mainly as a proofreader. So if you want to get hired to play the role of _____, I probably can't do much for anyone. Those kinds of decisions are reserved for the director & his assistants.
Cheers,
Doug

[cha]

Good deal Doug keep us updated every chance when you get some tidbits on this great story.

[tonyh]

Here's the latest news from a person who is connected with the project:

Paul Verhoeven has secured sufficient backing to finance the film. It will go ahead after 5 years of finding a director, writing a screenplay, getting permissions from the author and publisher and etc. Kudos to John Beckner for going above and beyond the call of duty to get it this far.

Casting is now in progress for the lead roles - the role of Guy Sajer has been narrowed down to 6 men, all of whom are well known actors. One is an American, the rest are Europeans. The lead contender is from the UK and is relatively well known in the US - though he is in his mid- to late-20s, he could easily pass for a teenager.

There has been no casting call for overweight, balding middle-aged WWII reenactors, which rules me out (verdammt!)

That's it for now - more to follow as it becomes known.

Cheers,
Doug Nash

Let me guess...Thomas Kretschmann is one of the Europeans.


Tony

[Doug Nash]

Tony,
No, not in the lead role - he's way too old to play Sajer --- now Wesreidau, that's another matter, but even then, all the poor guy has done lately is play German officers --- although he does make a good one.

[koalorka]

Very exciting, any updates?

[Doug Nash]

No, that's the latest update. Stay tuned...

[Dan W.]

Emil Hirsche would make a good Sajer. The larger question is if this movie is going to follow the 'Valkyrie' format with an American as the lead, and if so, then he'd be a good choice. But I wonder if an American accent on a young man from Alsace Lorraine is too much for people to handle, or if it even matters.

[Ingsoc75]

I just watched the movie The Reader and the actor David Kross would be my pick for Sajer.