It’s nice to see THE GREAT WALL being built up again. An intriguing mix of historical epic and creature feature, the film was first announced back in 2012, when Ed Zwick (The Last Samurai) was attached to direct. Years after little-to-no activity on the project, it appears to be back in business, with a new director and cast attached.
According to THR, Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) will now direct the action-horror film for Legendary Pictures, while Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe are reportedly in line to star. (Superman himself Henry Cavill was cast back when Zwick was making the film.)
The story, which was conceived by Legendary’s CEP Thomas Tull and WORLD WAR Z creator Max Brooks, follows…
a soldier who is part of a group of mercenaries traveling to China in order to bring back gunpowder to Europe. When the group is attacked by mystical beasts, the man finds himself in a war between a secret warrior clan and the beasts.
This sounds like a hugely ambitious undertaking, and you can color me very intrigued. Honestly, when was the last time we saw a movie quite like this? Personally cannot recall.
Shooting on THE GREAT WALL begins in April in China.