Key Takeaways:
– Actor and director Mathieu Kassovitz returns to behind the camera after a decade with “The Big War.”
– The film, a hybrid of live-action and animation, got its inspiration from the French graphic novel La Bete Est Morte.
– Celebrated screenwriter Caroline Thompson has signed on to pen the script.
– The movie plans to start production by year-end, with a budget estimated around $30M
– Kassovitz will also be joining the cast of the movie.
French actor and director Mathieu Kassovitz, recognized for his roles in films like Amélie and Munich, has announced his first directorial venture in over a decade. ‘The Big War,’ a film that blends live-action with animated elements, symbolizes a long-awaited passion project for Kassovitz.
Director’s Passion Project Comes to Light
Kassovitz, who last directed the action-drama Rebellion in 2011, has been keen to translate this project into a film. Now, thirteen years later, he is finally able to do so. “This is a project I’ve been working on for twenty years,” he says.
The Big War is based on the iconic French graphic novel La Bete Est Morte, authored during the Second World War. The novel cleverly represents this tumultuous era by envisioning the war enacted by anthropomorphized animals, with the Nazis portrayed as wolves preying on rabbit ‘vermin’, symbolizing the war’s victims. The storyline revolves around two rabbits on a quest to rescue their family, their journey presenting them with various adventures.
Unique Narrative Approach
Breaking down the unique narrative approach, Kassovitz explains, “I’m shooting the movie with real locations and set-pieces, and then the animal characters will be dropped in.” This cinematic method allows the animators to layer in the animal characters, creating an intriguing blend of reality with animation.
Acclaimed screenwriter Caroline Thompson, known for the scripts of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, and Edward Scissorhands, is on board. “It’s a heartfelt, lovely story,” Thompson shares, expressing her fondness for the material and her working relationship with Kassovitz. The project has marked a return to writing for Thompson, who has collaborated closely with Kassovitz over a considerable period to perfect this screenplay.
Kassovitz’s Dual Role
Kassovitz won’t restrict his involvement to just direction; he will also act in the film. The actor-director has had successful stints on both sides of the camera, with his noteworthy television performance in Le Bureau Des Legendes drawing considerable praise.
Production & Financing
With the project now in the design phase, the focus has shifted to securing financiers and starting production by the end of the year. A budget in the $30M range is projected for the film, with discussions ongoing with American and British actors for undisclosed roles.
Previous English-language ventures from Kassovitz include Gothika and Babylon A.D. In addition to The Big War, Kassovitz is also diversifying his creative portfolio with a stage musical based on his 1995 classic film La Haine in Paris, starring Vincent Cassell.
In conclusion, this comeback project for Kassovitz represents a highly ambitious venture that capitalizes on a unique storytelling approach. As the project matures, audiences can look forward to an interesting blend of stellar performances, world-class direction, and an evocative storyline, all brought to life excellently with animation. This marks a new benchmark in Kassovitz’s career and a significant development in contemporary cinema.
