While Guy Ritchie’s last outing, Operation Fortune, got a delay due to the pandemic, it still had the misfortune of getting pushed back despite restrictions loosening up. Ritchie has been recently dabbling in the war genre with The Covenant in addition to one he also has written and will be directing — a World War II drama, titled The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. The film has compiled an impressive cast including Henry Cavll, Alan Ritchson (Fast X, Reacher), Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians, The Gentlemen), Henry Zaga (Beyond The Universe), Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike, The Butler), Cary Elwes (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After franchise), Babs Olusanmokun (Dune, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and Til Schweiger (Inglourious Basterds, Atomic Blonde).
Deadline reports on the studio Lionsgate securing the domestic release of the film, but Prime Video has secured distribution for the worldwide territories. Filming for the World War II movie starts today in Turkey just days after a devastating Earthquake had struck. Guy Ritchie and the producers released a statement, saying, “As we begin production in Turkey, we do so with profound sympathy for everyone affected. Our thoughts are with the members of our crew with family in the region. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the people of Turkey. We stand by them and are committed to supporting members of our production team and the wider community over the coming weeks and months.”
The screenplay is by Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, Arash Amel and Ritchie is based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ book of the same name. Tamasy and Johnson had started the project and sold it as a pitch to Jerry Bruckheimer and Paramount in 2015. Bruckheimer is currently enjoying having the biggest hit of the summer with Top Gun: Maverick which is also nominated for Academy Awards. Bruckheimer is joined by Scott Lastaiti, Olga Filipuk, Damien Lewis, and Tamasy and Johnson. Black Bear International arranged the financing for the film and is handling the worldwide sales, which will continue at the EFM.
Adam Fogleson, the vice-chair of Lionsgate says, “I have been fortunate enough to partner with Guy on a number of films over the years and he always delivers something that audiences crave – original, action-packed and entertaining theatrical experiences. I am delighted to be teaming up again to bring Ministry and its amazing cast to audiences.”