The film is based on the true story of Greville Wynne (Cumberbatch), a British businessman who helped the CIA penetrate the Soviet nuclear program during the Cold War. Wynne and his Russian source, Oleg Penkovsky, provided the crucial intelligence that ended the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Dominic Cooke (ON CHESIL BEACH) will direct and executive produce with Cumberbatch and Tom O’Connor (THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD). The project is based on a script by O’Connor.
42’s Ben Pugh and Rory Aitken (IN DARKNESS, “Jerusalem” & SAND CASTLE) will produce the feature, alongside Adam Ackland (THE CURRENT WAR, “Patrick Melrose”), SunnyMarch and FilmNation Entertainment. Benedict Cumberbatch, Dominic Cooke and Tom O’Connor will executive produce along with Josh Varney (IN DARKNESS, “Watership Down”) from 42 and Leah Clarke of SunnyMarch.
The deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers, along with Alison Cohen for FilmNation Entertainment.
Adam Ackland, Managing Director at SunnyMarch said, “We’re delighted to be working with Dominic Cooke, Tom O’Connor, FilmNation and 42, bringing this thrilling and timely true story to the screen.”
Ben Pugh and Rory Aitken, Partners at 42 added, “Tom O’Connor has written a masterful script, and with Dominic Cooke directing and Benedict Cumberbatch starring, we’re looking forward to collaborating with this uniquely talented team to bring IRONBARK to the screen.”
Glen Basner, CEO of FilmNation Entertainment commented: “We are delighted to be working with Benedict again and to have his abundant creativity on both sides of the camera.
“Dominic is a master director and he and Benedict’s work together on “The Hollow Crown” produced breathtaking results. We anticipate a very exciting second collaboration on IRONBARK.”