It’s difficult to work out if this is just some studio execs’ pie in the sky dream or something that might actually happen, but Deadline reports that Warner Bros is busy putting together a movie called The Mission and are courting Brad Pitt to star and David O’Russell to direct. Whether either of them is interested isn’t certain, but Deadline seems to think it could come together quickly.
Part of the reason there’s a rush is because The Mission is part of a rash of similarly themed pics about covert operations (which not coincidentally have sprung up since the death of Osama Bin Laden), and so Warner is trying to ensure there’s doesn’t get left behind.
The movie is based on the real-life story of a six-year mission planned by American and Colombian covert operatives to free 15 hostages from the Colombian jungle. The hostages were being held Colombian guerilla group FARC from between six and 15 years, being moved around the jungle and often being chained to trees at night by their neck. Operation Jacques was then set up to rescue them, involving numerous governments, military advisers and soldiers plus high-tech surveillance measures.
Whether either Pitt or O’Russell has the time is another factor, as Brad’s currently shooting World War Z, and O’Russell is putting together The Silver Linings Playbook. Warner is wanting this to come together quickly, so may not be willing to wait for them.