THE WILD GEESE: Valiant Eagle, New Republic Pictures Developing Remake Of Classic 1978 British Mercenary Actioner
A remake of Andrew V. McLaglen’s 1978 British-Swiss military action adventure, The Wild Geese, was announced earlier this month in a film and TV development partnership deal between Valiant Eagle Inc. and New Republic Pictures. The film is the first on the slate with Academy Award winning writer, William Monahan (The Departed) penning the script, adapting a story centered on a group of British mercenaries tasked with rescuing a deposed African president from a corrupt dictator.
The original, starring an ensemble cast led in part by celebrated actors Richard Burton, Roger Moore, and Richard Harris, was two years in the making in lieu of its novelization, “The Thin White Line”, by author Daniel Carney (the book reportedly went unpublished was later retitled in time for the film’s release). The novel is said to be inspired by a true story which then led to Reginald Rose’s screenplay for the inaugural film; Carney and Rose worked together on several films thereafter, including Wild Geese II, director Peter Hunt’s 1985 sequel based on Carney’s 1982 novel, “The Square Circle”.
Brian Oliver (1917) will produce for New Republic Pictures. Valiant Eagle will exec produce and co-finance the remake. More to come.
Sample the classic trailer below!
Cover Pic: Severin Films
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