Tom Blyth To Star In Michael Winterbottom’s Fremantle-Backed Adaptation Of Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell To Arms’
Tom Blyth is set to follow in the footsteps of Gary Cooper, Rock Hudson and George Hamilton to star in Michael Winterbottom’s new adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel A Farewell to Arms.
Fremantle, Winterbottom’s production company Revolution Films (Shoshana, A Mighty Heart, 24 Hour Party People) and Passenger (True Detective, Outlaw King, Catch-22) are joining forces on the production.
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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Billy the Kid star Blyth will play volunteer ambulance driver Frederic Henry, who is wounded and falls in love with his nurse in Italy during World War One.
Published in 1929, A Farewell To Arms is inspired by Hemingway’s own experiences as a volunteer ambulance driver with the Italian Army on the Isonzo Front.
Considered one of the greatest war novels of the twentieth century, it established Hemingway as a household name.
The novel has previously been adapted to the big screen by Oscar-winning director Frank Borzage in 1932, with Cooper in the starring role opposite Helen Hayes, and then in 1957 by Charles Vidor and John Huston with Hudson co-starring opposite Jennifer Jones.
Hamilton and Vanessa Redgrave reprised the roles in a UK mini-series adaptation in 1966.
The production has yet to announce who will co-star opposite Blyth in this new version.
The adaptation will be produced by Melissa Parmenter for Revolution Films, with Winterbottom and Passenger’s Richard Brown serving as Executive Producers.
The film is being made with support from the Hemingway Estate, in a deal brokered by Fremantle’s Raffaella De Angelis.
Winterbottom said he wanted to remain true to Hemingway’s trademark style of paring a story down to the bare bones.
“He argued that a novel could be like an iceberg: the reader only sees the tip above the water but feels the bulk and weight of what lies below the surface. I want our film to be true to Hemingway’s approach – immediate, raw and natural – and I think in Tom Blyth we have found the perfect person to be Frederic Henry,” the director said.
Blyth revealed he has been a long-time fan of both Hemingway and Winterbottom’s work.
“Michael has adapted the book perfectly, with a script that captures all of the author’s unique nuance and precision,” he said.
“The examination of the human cost of conflict, and of love and hope trying to thrive within it, resonates more than ever. I can’t think of a better filmmaking team than Michael and Melissa to tell this story, and I’m truly thrilled to be bringing Frederic to life on screen for a contemporary audience.”
The Hemingway Estate – representing heirs and descendants Brendan Hemingway, Patrick Hemingway Adams, and Angela Hemingway Charles – said in statement that the Hemingway family was thrilled to see the novel being reimagined for a new age.
“Given the chaotic state of the world, it’s hard to think of a better moment to reintroduce his seminal story of love and the devastating effects of war. We deeply appreciate the passion and depth of understanding exhibited by Winterbottom and his team. They are surely the right people to breathe new life into Hemingway’s vision, and at a time when we, tragically, need it most,” it read.
Winterbottom’s diverse credits include Palme D’Or nominees Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland and 24 Hour Party People as well as the Berlinale Golden Bear-winning In This World and most recently Shoshana.
Blyth can currently be seen on the big screen in Lionsgate’s box office hit, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
He plays Coriolanus Snow in Francis Lawrence’s prequel, which has scored a $200 million worldwide box office since its release on November 19.
The actor also plays the titular role in the second season of MGM+ series Billy the Kid.
Parmenter has produced all of Winterbottom’s films over the past 13 years and is Executive Producer & Director of Revolution Films.
Her credits include the Bafta nominated film Everyday, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon The Trip series Greed, The Wedding Guest, This England and Shoshana, which premiered this year at Toronto and then played at the BFI London Film Festival.
Fremantle previously partnered with Passenger’s Brown and Winterbottom on the critically acclaimed Sky Original drama This England.
Fremantle acquired Passenger in 2022 with the independent production company becoming a fully owned label, within Fremantle’s Global Drama division under the leadership of CEO of Global Drama, Christian Vesper.
As part of the deal, Brown has also taken on a new creative role across Fremantle’s Global Drama division to help drive its efforts in the development and production of TV and film projects such as the A Call To Arms adaptation. Fremantle also has an exclusive first-look deal with Revolution Films.
Blyth is represented by Gersh, United Agents in the UK, MJ Management and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
The novel A Farewell to Arms and the Estate of Ernest Hemingway are represented by Gersh.
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