Ever since Sebastian Faulk’s novel Birdsong was published 16 years ago there have been endless rumours of a film version, with various actors and directors attached at different times. However with the BBC making a mini-series version in 2012, most assumed we wouldn’t be getting a full-on movie version after all.
It’s turned out in may be the other way around, with the series reigniting interest in making a film. Embankment Films is backing the movie, with Rise Of The Planet of The Apes director Rupert Wyatt now onboard to helm, according to ScreenDaily.
Faulks’ novel is set before and during the First World War, following a young British man who gets involved in a relationship with a married French woman. When war breaks out he ends up as a soldier amidst the carnage of the front lines. Eddie Redmayne and Clémence Poésy played the main roles in the TV version, but there’s no info on whether they might be back for the film (probably not).
The movie is currently looking for backers at the Berlin Film Festival.