Sam Mendes’ latest film Empire Of Light is set to begin filming in the coming days, with workers already in the midst of transporting the seaside town of Margate back to the 1980s.
While little is known about the film, builders could be seen transforming the area surrounding the Dreamland amusement park, including turning one theatre into a vintage dancehall and lining the promenade with lights.
For the first time Skyfall frontman Sam is set to direct a film that he didn’t pen with the assistant of a co-writer, and while the cast is yet to be revealed, it’s been confirmed that Olivia Colman will star in a leading role.
Hard at work: Sam Mendes’ latest film Empire Of Light is set to begin filming in the coming days, with workers already in the midst of transporting the seaside town of Margate back to the 1980s
In preparation for filming, workers could be seen taking the cinema back to its 1980s heyday, with boards outside advertising the crime comedy The Blues Brothers.
Referencing the film’s title, the word Empire could be seen splashed across the advertising board, while the exterior was also decorated with classic film posters.
Along with hanging up lights along the seafront, staff could be seen atop a cherry picker removing any modern elements from the street in preparation for filming.
Exciting: Last year it was revealed that Olivia would star in the upcoming romance movie, which Sam has penned without a co-writer for the first time
Hard to miss: While little is known about the film, builders could be seen transforming the area surrounding the Dreamland amusement park, including turning one theatre into a vintage dancehall and lining the promenade with lights
Classic: In preparation for filming, workers could be seen taking the cinema back to its 1980s heyday, with boards outside advertising the crime comedy The Blues Brothers
Last year it was revealed that Olivia would star in the upcoming romance movie, which Sam has penned without a co-writer for the first time.
This marks the first time he’s penned a screenplay without a co-writer – his Oscar-nominated film 1917 was written alongside Krysty Wilson-Cairns.
While plot details remains tightly under wraps, it is known the production is a love story ‘set around a beautiful old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s’, and it is unclear which character Colman is going to be playing.
Historic: Referencing the film’s title, the word Empire could be seen splashed across the advertising board, while the exterior was also decorated with classic film posters
Hard at work: Along with hanging up lights along the seafront, staff could be seen atop a cherry picker removing any modern elements from the street in preparation for filming
Mendes is producing Empire of Light alongside Pippa Harris through his Neal Street Productions, and he will also reunite with his longtime cinematographer Roger Deakins on the production.
Aiming to release the film in late 2022, Sam said in a statement: ‘I have long been an admirer of Searchlight and the dynamic way they have produced and released some of my favourite theatrical releases of recent years.
‘This project is very close to my heart, and I couldn’t be more delighted that it has found its ideal home.’
The project will be overseen at Searchlight by presidents of production, film and television, Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, as well as head of development and production at Searchlight Pictures UK, Katie Goodson-Thomas.
Beautiful: While plot details remains tightly under wraps, it is known the production is a love story ‘set around a beautiful old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s’, and it is unclear which character Colman is going to be playing
Passion project: Aiming to release the film in late 2022, Sam said in a statement: ‘I have long been an admirer of Searchlight and the dynamic way they have produced and released some of my favourite theatrical releases of recent years’
Plans: The project will be overseen at Searchlight by presidents of production, film and television, Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, as well as head of development and production at Searchlight Pictures UK, Katie Goodson-Thomas
Roles: Olivia, who is known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown’s third and fourth seasons, recently starred in a Sky drama that saw her portray killer Susan Edwards, and David Thewlis plays her husband and accomplice Christopher
Greenfield and Greenbaum added in a statement: ‘Sam has written an exquisite cinematic drama that captured our hearts from page one.
‘He is a masterful filmmaker, and we look forward to working with him, Pippa, and Roger and to reunite with the great Olivia on this truly special film.’
As of the time of writing, there have been no other casting announcements for the production.
Olivia, who is known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown’s third and fourth seasons, recently starred in a Sky drama that saw her portray killer Susan Edwards, and David Thewlis plays her husband and accomplice Christopher.
The production was a family affair as the four-part drama, called Landscapers, was the first television screenplay written by Olivia’s husband Ed Sinclair.
Production: The production was a family affair as the four-part drama, called Landscapers, was the first television screenplay written by Olivia’s husband Ed Sinclair
Exciting: Currently Mendes’ Empire Of Light is set for release in late 2022
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