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Jerry Bruckheimer Adapting WWII Novel Killing Rommel!
September 3, 2008
by Alex Billington
From pirates to princes to Nazis - Jerry Bruckheimer's latest acqusition is a novel titled Killing Rommel, written by Steven Pressfield and published earlier this year, about a British battalion's attempt to thwart German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's desert campaign during WWII. Screenwriter Randall Wallace, known for his Braveheart and Pearl Habor scripts, has been hired to adapt the screenplay for Bruckheimer and Disney. The novel has been said to contain "the same edge-of-your-seat drama, remarkable battle scenes, and strong characters" that Pressfield is known for in his previous books. Please just tell me that this is not Michael Bay's next film after Transformers 2 and I'll be quite happy.
The story in Killing Rommel focuses on British officer R. Lawrence "Chap" Chapman and the British plot to assassinate the "Desert Fox," aka German field marshal Erwin Rommel, during late 1942 and early 1943 in North Africa. "Chap also falls in love with sexy Rose McCall, whose brains and brass later get her posted to naval intelligence in Egypt. As a young lieutenant, Chap joins the team assembled to go after Rommel." Sounds like Michael Bay fodder to me, but thankfully he's occupied, so I wonder who Bruckheimer will recruit to bring this WWII epic to the screen? It actually sounds quite promising, even though I would have never guessed that Bruckheimer would've wanted to work on the war epics as well.
While WWII has always been featured in the Hollywood spotlight, I definitely feel like it's becoming a bigger trend to return to that war. Quentin Tarantino is doing it, Spike Lee is doing it, Bryan Singer is doing it, so why not everyone else? I consider myself an enormous fan of war movies and this book sounds like it has some exciting content that'll make for a great film, especially in the hands of Bruckheimer. Even if the story turns out a bit weak, at least we'll have a big-budget glorified WWII film with great visuals and expansive sets, which is exactly what I need to be a happy moviegoer. I'll be following this closely as they search for a director. In the meantime, I suggest you pick up a copy of the book before it gets butchered by Hollywood. Thoughts?
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Reader Feedback - 11 Comments »
1
My thoughts is that I better read this cause you are right….BUTCHERED BY HOLLYWOOD. Who am I kidding, I won't read it. But im sure they will find a way to screw it up. Though I have heard great things about the book. Who knows maybe they will save my faith.
http://www.youtube.com/AllmightyKeim
AllmightyKeim on Sep 3, 2008
2
Bruckheimer can do this justice as long as he doesnt let Disney stamp 'remeber the kids' all over it. I'm also syked that Bay isnt involved - not the kinda thing he can do right. I think they need a lower key director - perhaps someone with a little knowledge of the period and also someone who won't turn it into a Pearl Harbour!!
dom on Sep 3, 2008
4
Everyone knows Rommel died in World War II, what this movie presupposes is…maybe he didn't?
Chad on Sep 3, 2008
5
LOL @ #4
Reverend on Sep 3, 2008
6
I just hope this movie isn't totally Americanized. That they retain some sort of accuracy..I doubt it but we will see.
The story seems promising.
Kyle A. Koyote on Sep 3, 2008
7
I sense another "the winners write history" production.
Viper on Sep 3, 2008
8
I finished the book only 5 days ago and now this. The book has very to do with his wife Rose and I can see her getting a huge role in this to draw in the summer crowds.
This is a bad idea.
Also:
Everyone knows Rommel died in World War II, what this movie presupposes is…maybe he didn't?
Chad
It does not imply that at all…
The book is about the Long Range Desert Group and them dealing with Rommel's army. Alot of New Zealanders involved and british. No americans. Rommel dealt a beating to the yanks in the African theater
Joel on Sep 3, 2008
9
wait this will be a disney movie?
harrison on Sep 3, 2008
10
I hope Mikey Bay doesn't get into the mix on this one as well. His track record in this formula (even if it is only one film) just plain sucks. It breaks down like this: Jerry Bruckheimer + Mikey Bay + Randall Wallace + World War II = Pearl Harbor… That is not a good recipe… They will need a better director than Mikey B.
Dave Lister, J.M.C. on Sep 4, 2008
11
The Aussies and Kiwis whooped Rommel's ass in North Africa, Sent in to do what the Brits failed to do and after the Americans were earlier whoop-assed and still running South and North back across to Europe
Where Kasserine Pass was one of Rommel's better days, Tobruk was his nightmare.
In the end, it doesn't matter who did it - he still got his beat down after all.
ANZAZ Cookie on Oct 30, 2009