Nicolas Cage steps into the world of wartime espionage in the newly released trailer for Fortitude, a historical action-adventure inspired by one of the most audacious deception campaigns of World War II.
Directed by Simon West, the filmmaker behind action favourites including Con Air, Fortitude takes audiences behind the scenes of Operation Fortitude, the elaborate Allied operation designed to mislead Nazi Germany about where the D-Day invasion would take place.
Cage stars as Serbian double agent Duško Popov, a real-life spy whose exploits helped inspire Ian Fleming when he created James Bond. The connection between Popov and 007 is given a playful nod in the trailer, which sees Cage’s character ordering a martini “shaken, not stirred.”
The film centres on British Army officers Dudley Clarke, played by Ed Skrein, and Thomas Argyll “Tar” Robertson, portrayed by Matthew Goode. Together, they are instrumental in constructing an enormous deception designed to convince Nazi intelligence that the Allied invasion would target Pas-de-Calais rather than Normandy.
Their operation involves fabricated armies, fake military equipment and an extensive network of double agents. The strategy ultimately played a crucial role in helping the Allies conceal their true intentions in the lead-up to the Normandy landings.
The trailer also highlights the involvement of several major historical figures, including Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming. Michael Sheen portrays Churchill, while Art Malik takes on the role of Fleming.
Adding further star power to the ensemble are Sir Ben Kingsley, Alice Eve, Jordi Mollà, Lukas Haas and Ron Perlman, among others.
Rather than presenting the story as a traditional, sombre World War II drama, Fortitude appears to embrace a more irreverent and energetic tone. The trailer mixes espionage, action and humour while leaning into the extraordinary nature of the real events that inspired the story.
For Cage, the role also provides an opportunity to play a fascinating piece of James Bond history without actually stepping into the shoes of 007. Popov’s reputation as a charismatic and daring spy makes him a natural fit for the actor, while the film’s Bond references add an extra layer of fun for fans of Fleming’s iconic creation.
Fortitude has also attracted attention away from the screen following a reported legal dispute involving Netflix. Screenwriter Simon Afram filed a $105 million lawsuit after an unencrypted hard drive containing a copy of the movie was reportedly stolen from Netflix’s Los Angeles office. Netflix has disputed responsibility for the loss.
For now, the arrival of the trailer puts the focus firmly back on the film itself.
With Nicolas Cage portraying the real-life man who helped inspire one of cinema’s most famous spies, a large ensemble cast and a remarkable true story at its centre, Fortitude could offer an entertaining new spin on the World War II espionage genre.
A release date for Fortitude has not yet been announced.
