Chance is sometimes capricious and unpredictable. When Patrice Leconte announced that his project to adapt Les Bijoux de la Castafiore had fallen through, another film based on Belgian comics appeared again: The Yellow Sign, Blake and Mortimer’s best-known adventure, published as an album in 1956 and already adapted. In the late 90s, in an episode of the animated series.
In the early 2000s, James Huth really tried to get Edgar P. To bring the duo created by Jacobs to life on the big screen. Other directors (including Alain Cornot) had tackled it before, but it was far from a success, starring Hugh Bonneville and Rufus Sewell with Gong Li.
The script was ready and the $35 million budget was finalized, but production was delayed due to an inability to find a large enough studio. And the film fell through when producer Charles Gassot turned to another comic book adaptation (the immortal Enki Bilal, he said) when James Hutt went surfing with Brice de Nys in 2004.
“Brain control with screens threatens our democracies more than ever”
And without him, twenty years later, they are still talking about the project. Set in London in the 1950s, worthy of a comic strip, brought to us by Belga Films Group and Frenchman Cédric Nicolas-Troian, special effects supervisor Snow White and the Huntsman turned director in its sequel and then an action film. Kate and the last series of Furies.
The cast and release date are yet to be announced, but he will direct this English-language adaptation co-written by Ian Kuenn (99 francs). in which MI5 Captain Francis Blake and Physicist Philip Mortimer investigate the mysterious criminal called “M” Equipped with technology that allows him to control his mind.
“The strength of comics lies in its themes that still resonate today”Producer Jean-Jacques Neira explains. “The control of the brain by screens threatens our democracies more than ever. As we confront the importance of moral responsibility, M is a timely reminder that we must demonstrate critical thinking and positive influence in our screen-dominated age.”
Who will play Blake and Mortimer?
However, the action should remain in the 50s, without a bit of fidelity and modernity: “It’s been around for a long time and loved by many”, Says Cedric Nicola-Troian.
“So it goes without saying that I’m committed to honoring comics and bringing this rich and colorful world to life, while bringing it a modern twist with a lot of heart and action. I’m also very excited about the idea of creative freedom that such an independent European production offers.”
It has sold more than twenty million copies and been translated into about fifteen languages. yellow sign Even today there is a hint. Comics with a very cinematic influence (M the Cursed, Nosferatu or The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari), which is always considered a symbol of a clear line style, of which Tintin is one of the origins in the absence of its initiator.
Therefore, the challenge facing Cedric Nicholas-Troian is significant. And you look forward to the casting as much as the feature film itself. With filming set to begin in the fall, the faces of Blake and Mortimer’s performers may be revealed soon. At the Cannes Film Festival Film Market in May, for example?
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
