Warner Bros has hired Fedor Bondarchuk, known for his massively successful Russian film Stalingrad, to direct Odysseus, a film based on the Greek epic poem The Odyssey by the Homer.
Jeremy Doner will be writing the script, and the film will be produced by the Hollywood Gang’s Gianni Nunnari (pictured above), as well as Bernie Goldmann and Shannon Gaulding, and even Bondarchuk’s partners Michael Schlicht and Paul Heth.
The Odyssey is about the Greek king, Odysseus, who makes a long and perilous journey back to his home after fighting the Trojan War.
Bondarchuk is the the son of Oscar-winning helmer Sergey Bondarchuk and, as noted by Variety, has had massive success in his Russia.
He gained international acclaim and attention, however, when he recently directed Stalingrad, a World War II film about Russian soldiers who not only defend their land against Nazi forces, but also explore their humanity and capacity for mercy as they defend a young woman during the campaign. The film, as Deadline notes, was Russia’s first movie filmed in IMAX 3D format and received universal international acclaim, and was even nominated for multiple awards.
What is notable about the film, however, is that is was only made for around $30 million, despite the fact that all of the action and combat scenes were filmed without any help from a green screen. Bondarchuk even staged his battles. As the Hollywood Reporter notes, however, the film grossed over $66 million last year, making it the best box office performance ever by a Russian film. The film even made $11 million in China, and this success in the Chinese market might be the reason that Warner brothers might be keen on him.
As The Hollywood Reporter notes, Bondarchuk will the first Russian director to cross over to Hollywood since Timur Bekmanbetov was hired in 2008 by Universal to direct Wanted.
Credit: INFevents.com