Benedict Cumberbatch is a man at the height of his powers and he’s now set to star alongside rising UK star Will Poulter, and Tye Sheridan (who you’ll know from MUD) in THE YELLOW BIRDS.
The screenplay is based on the book by Kevin Powers, a machine-gunner with the US Army, and has been adapted by David Lowery who also directs. Lowery has previously given us the incredible AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS that starred Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.
THE YELLOW BIRDS tells the story of two younger soldiers, who are looked after by an older sergeant when they’re deployed to Iraq. The director is keen to point out this won’t really be a war film, as such, but just as importantly the real-life story of the people actually involved, he had this to say:
“I never had any interest in making a war film until [Producers] Jeff [Sharp] and Evan [Hayes] brought me the novel by Kevin Powers. And perhaps I still don’t, because while Powers’ story takes place during wartime, it isn’t about the conflict. It is about characters who find themselves caught up in war, but who struggle to not let it define them. I fell in love with them.
He continued:
“It is a beautiful and deeply personal tale, relayed through images and memories, and I am excited to have the chance to bring it to the screen.”
This is undauntedly something we’ll be looking out for, THE YELLOW BIRDS is in very early days of production.
Source: Variety
