A long working relationship with director Simon West continued on Monday as Nicolas Cage began work on their latest collaboration in the English countryside.
The American actor – who first worked with West on his 1997 directorial debut, Con Air – will play real life double agent Duško Popov in spy thriller Fortitude, a retelling of British Intelligence efforts to fool Nazi Germany at the height of World War II.
Thought to be the inspiration for author Ian Fleming’s iconic James Bond, Popov, a Serbian national, played a key role in the operation – codenamed Fortitude, an attempt to convince Hitler that Allied forces were planning to storm Calais, rather than intended target Normandy.
Dressed in a smart tuxedo and bow tie as filming commenced in rural England, Cage, 61, certainly bore all the hallmarks of a classic 007 while waving a pistol at two cast-members.
Occupying the front seats of a vintage Bentley, the smartly dressed hostages were seen remonstrating with Cage as he stood alongside the car, his gun trained on the driver.
The actor appeared to pull them over after blocking the road, his pistol aimed at the car, occupied by a heavy set male driver and his attractive female companion – played by American actress Jenny Watwood, in an unconfirmed role – as it approached.
A long working relationship with director Simon West continued on Monday as Nicolas Cage began work on their latest collaboration in the English countryside
The American actor will play real life double agent Duško Popov in spy thriller Fortitude, a retelling of British Intelligence efforts to fool Nazi Germany at the height of World War II
Cage was seen ordering the driver out of the vehicle, before taking his place in the front seat and driving away with his brunette companion.
Fortitude will be Cage’s third collaboration with West after previously working with the British director on cult action thriller Con Air and the 2012 blockbuster, Stolen.
The filmmaker has also enlisted the help of historian Joshua Levine, who previously worked with Christopher Nolan on his epic war drama Dunkirk, to ensure the film’s historical accuracy.
The forthcoming film will recount the efforts of British Army officers Dudley Clarke and Thomas Argyll «Tar» Robertson, who attempted to mislead Nazi intelligence by creating an entirely fictitious story with the aid of fake military equipment and an array of double agents, including Popov.
An ensemble cast will also feature Matthew Goode, Ed Skrein, Jordi Mollà, Alice Eve, Michael Sheen, Sir Ben Kingsley and Art Malik in yet to be confirmed roles.
‘We are excited to bring together such a remarkable ensemble,” said producer Simon Afram in a recent press release.
‘Their chemistry and depth, paired with West’s direction, elevate this story into something truly gripping and unforgettable.’
The film’s screenplay has also been drafted by Afram, who also serves as producer alongside Georgette Turner, Reza Roohi and Edward Kahl.
The actor appeared to pull them over after blocking the road, his pistol aimed at the car, occupied by a heavy set male driver and his attractive female companion as it approached
Cage as Duško Popov on the set of Fortitude (L) and the real life Duško Popov, pictured at the height of World War II in 1940 (R)
Occupying the front seats of a vintage Bentley, the smartly dressed hostages were seen remonstrating with Cage as he stood alongside the car, his gun trained on the driver
The car’s female companion is played by actress Jenny Watwood, in a yet to be confirmed role
Dressed in a smart tuxedo and bow tie as filming commenced in rural England, Cage bore all the hallmarks of a classic 007 while waving a pistol at two cast-members
Partly thanks to his powers of seduction, Popov was one of the inspirations for Fleming’s James Bond.
Even Bond’s code number was based on the detail that, when Popov needed advice, he would call his uncle in Belgrade and the number he needed to remember was 26-007.
Work began on the new film in September and is expected to continue into the new year.
An official release date is yet to be confirmed.
The car was seen pulling to a stop as Cage, dressed as Popov, aimed his gun at the driver
A boom hovered over the three actors as they played out their latest scene on Tuesday
Cage was seen ordering the driver out of the vehicle, before taking his place in the front seat and driving away with his brunette companion
The driver looks on in bewilderment as Cage and his attractive female friend drive away
The actor was later seen talking to members of the production team during a break between scenes
