A long-standing professional collaboration with director Simon West continued on Monday, when Nicolas Cage began work on their latest project in the English countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The American actor \u2013 who first worked with West on his 1997 directorial debut \u201cCon Air\u201d \u2013 will portray real-life double agent Du\u0161ko Popov in the spy thriller \u201cFortitude,\u201d which recounts the efforts of British intelligence to deceive Nazi Germany at the height of World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Believed to be the inspiration for Ian Fleming\u2019s iconic James Bond, Popov, a Serbian national, played a key role in Operation \u201cFortitude,\u201d an attempt to convince Hitler that the Allies planned to attack Calais instead of the intended target, Normandy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dressed in a sleek tuxedo and bow tie as filming began in rural England, Cage (61) carried all the hallmarks of a classic 007, waving a gun at two fellow cast members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking the front seat of a vintage Bentley, the elegantly dressed captives were seen arguing with Cage as he stood by the car, pointing a gun at the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The actor appeared to have stopped them after blocking the road, holding the gun aimed at the car, which contained a burly driver and his attractive female companion \u2013 played by American actress Jenny Watwood, in an unconfirmed role \u2013 as he approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cage was seen ordering the driver to get out of the vehicle before taking his place in the front seat and driving off with his brunette companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFortitude\u201d will be Cage\u2019s third collaboration with West, after previously working with the British director on the cult action thriller \u201cCon Air\u201d and the 2012 blockbuster \u201cStolen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The director has also enlisted historian Joshua Levine, who previously worked with Christopher Nolan on his epic war drama \u201cDunkirk,\u201d to ensure the film\u2019s historical accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The upcoming film will recount the efforts of British Army officers Dudley Clarke and Thomas Arvile \u201cTar\u201d Robertson, who sought to deceive Nazi intelligence by creating an entirely fictitious narrative with the help of fake military equipment and a network of double agents, including Popov.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ensemble cast will also include Matthew Goode, Ed Skrein, Jordi Moll\u00e0, Alice Eve, Michael Sheen, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Art Malik in roles yet to be confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to be assembling such an extraordinary ensemble,\u201d producer Simon Afham said in a recent press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTheir chemistry and depth, combined with West\u2019s direction, elevate this story into something truly exciting and unforgettable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film\u2019s screenplay was also written by Afham, who is producing alongside Georgette Turner, Reza Riahi, and Edward Call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partly thanks to his powers of seduction, Popov was one of the inspirations for Fleming\u2019s James Bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even Bond\u2019s code number was inspired by the detail that, when Popov needed advice, he called his uncle in Belgrade, and the number he had to remember was 26-007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Filming on the new project began in September and is expected to continue into the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The official release date has yet to be confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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