Directed by David Michôd Cinematography Dariusz Wolski | Screenplay by David Michôd | |
Produced by Ian Bryce
Dede Gardner
Jeremy Kleiner
Brad Pitt Based on The Operators
by Michael Hastings Starring Brad Pitt
Anthony Michael Hall
Topher Grace
Will Poulter
Tilda Swinton
Ben Kingsley | ||
War Machine is an upcoming 2017 American political satire black comedy film directed and written by David Michôd, based on the nonfiction book The Operators by Michael Hastings. The film stars Brad Pitt, Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Tilda Swinton, Jonathan Ing and Ben Kingsley. It will be released on Netflix on May 26, 2017.
Contents
Plot summary
Four-star General Dan McMahon (Brad Pitt) is sent to Afghanistan to bring the war to an end, but finds he himself is the one under attack.
Cast
Production
On April 27, 2012, it was announced that New Regency and Plan B Entertainment had acquired the film adaptation rights to the 2011 best seller non-fiction book The Operators by Michael Hastings. On April 14, 2014, David Michôd was hired to write and direct the film based on the war in Afghanistan. Brad Pitt was attached to star as General Stanley McChrystal and produce the film along with his Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, while the film would be financed by New Regency and RatPac Entertainment.
On June 8, 2015, Netflix acquired the distribution rights to the film which was re-titled to War Machine, while Ian Bryce also came on board to produce the film along with others. On June 17, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that there was a budget issue between New Regency and RatPac with producers of Plan B, so that's when Netflix grabbed the rights and paid $60 million for the film. On August 4, 2015, Emory Cohen was cast in the film to play one of the members of Gen. McChrystal's platoon. On August 10, 2015, Topher Grace joined the film to play Gen. Stanley McChrystal's civilian press adviser. On August 11, 2015, John Magaro signed to star in the film to play Cory Burger, a special ops soldier and close advisor to General McMahon. On August 14, 2015, Scoot McNairy joined the cast of the film. On August 19, 2015, Anthony Michael Hall was added to the cast to play General Hank Pulver, loosely based on General Mike Flynn. On August 20, 2015, Keith Stanfield signed on to star in the film. The same day, Will Poulter also joined the cast for an unspecified role. On August 25, Anthony Hayes joined the film. On October 23, 2015, TheWrap revealed that RJ Cyler had also joined the film. Alan Ruck was spotted filming. Meg Tilly was also spotted but her casting was not officially confirmed yet. It was later reported Ben Kingsley and Tilda Swinton had been cast.
Filming
Principal photography on the film began in mid-October 2015 in London. Later on October 19, filming began in Abu Dhabi, the city was transformed into Kabul; streets into a military fortress, an old building as an American embassy in Kabul, and a street as a Palestinian border crossing. Filming will also take place at the Abu Dhabi International Airport in November. Some scenes were also filmed at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, England. In mid-November 2015, while final scenes were being taken, actors were spotted filming in Ras al-Khaimah and the city's old neighbourhood was transformed into Pakistani villages and a military base-camp.