Casting Updates for “Blake & Mortimer: The Yellow M”
Phil Dunster, known from Ted Lasso, alongside Corey Mylchreest from Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and Emilia Schüle of Marie Antoinette fame, have officially joined the cast of the upcoming action-spy thriller, Blake & Mortimer: The Yellow M.
About the Film
The film, under the direction of Cédric Nicolas-Troyan, known for his work on The Huntsman: Winter’s War and Kate, is an English-language rendition of the widely acclaimed graphic novel series Blake and Mortimer by Edgar P. Jacobs. This series has enjoyed global success, selling over 20 million copies and being translated into 15 languages. It follows MI5 Captain Francis Blake and his scientist companion Philip Mortimer, portrayed by Mylchreest and Dunster respectively.
Production and Distribution
Mister Smith Entertainment is set to commence international sales of this French-Belgian-UK co-production at Cannes. The production is scheduled to begin principal photography in September 2025, with filming locations primarily in the UK and Belgium. CAA will handle the U.S. rights, and Belga Films will distribute the movie in the Benelux countries.
Plot Overview
The film is set against the backdrop of Europe during 1941, where Nazi Germany develops a mind-control weapon named the Omega Wave, capable of bending human will. Captain Blake and physicist Mortimer initially successfully thwart this threat, but the peace is short-lived. By 1953, London is rocked by mysterious deaths, and the emergence of a sinister figure known as “M,” wielding the Omega Wave, threatens the city just days before the Queen’s coronation. This crisis reunites the two old friends, Blake and Mortimer, who embark on a perilous mission to save the day.
Screenplay and Vision
Nicolas-Troyan, along with co-writers Jan Kounen and Jay Ferguson, has crafted a screenplay that promises to blend various genres including action, adventure, and mystery, along with elements of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance. This narrative is built around a classic buddy story.
The Director’s Track Record
Cédric Nicolas-Troyan made his directorial debut with the epic fantasy The Huntsman: Winter’s War and continued to establish his name with the action thriller Kate, followed by the Netflix Original series Furies. The latter became the second most-watched French-language show on Netflix, trailing only behind Lupin.
Production Team
The production of Blake & Mortimer: The Yellow M is led by Patrick Vandenbosch of The Queen’s Corgi fame and Jean-Jacques Neira, known for Bonhoeffer. They are joined by Nicolas-Troyan and Meg Thomson from Globalgate Entertainment.
David Garrett of Mister Smith Entertainment expressed his enthusiasm for the project, praising Nicolas-Troyan’s proven ability to deliver visually captivating and energetically paced stories that are well-suited for the iconic graphic novel’s transition to the big screen. He emphasized the global potential of the project, fueled by a thrilling script, a rich cinematic world, and a dynamic young cast.
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