For a man in his seventies, Mike Leigh is one of the hardest working filmmakers in the United Kingdom.
Last year saw the release of his seminal work MR. TURNER, bringing him the largest box office draw for his lengthy list of films and later this year his live stage production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedic opera THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE will open.
But it looks like the master of British realism is already planning his next cinematic outing.
Mike Leigh has announced that his next project will be entitled PETERLOOÂ and will chronicle the infamous and brutal attack on a peaceful protest that took place in 19th century Manchester that left 18 people dead and over seven hundred seriously wounded.
The event was a seminal moment in the city’s history and even had a larger effect on the nations politics leading to civil unrest and unease. Ultimately leading to the legislation of the Reform Act of 1832, one of the most important documents in the history of the United Kingdom.
Film 4 and Leigh’s production company Thin Man Films are co-producing the film, who have already confirmed that Leigh will be once again returning to work with celebrated Cinematographer Dick Pope on the project.
Leigh is no stranger to period drama, having directed the aforementioned MR. TURNER; Leigh has also directed the visual delight that was TOPSY-TURVEY. But with this new film the director will have to tackle something bigger and bolder with the attack and charge on the innocent people.
It’s best not to get too excited about the project just yet though. Filming isn’t planned to start until sometime in 2017 meaning that its more than likely the finished project will not be hitting screens until sometime in 2018.
Are you excited to see what Mike Leigh can do with a battle sequence? Do you think this project is the right things for Leigh to do next? Or do you want to see him go back to telling stories in a modern day setting? For more news as it happens keep checking back to Film and TV Now.
