It’s about damn time.
2000AD is no stranger to adaptations of their iconic comics. But, it has been a long while since we’ve had any news about any of the long-gestating projects from Rebellion Studios. Like the “Judge Dredd” continuation/sequel/prequel “Mega-City One,” which may have been another casualty of the pandemic. Writer/director Duncan Jones (“Moon,” “Mute“) has also been working on a project inspired by another iconic 2000AD character, and we FINALLY have some images from the finished film. We’re talking of course about “Rogue Trooper.“
Last year, Jones confirmed the cast for his animated take on the comic book, using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5.
Aneurin Barnard (“Doctor Who,” “Dunkirk”) will star as Rogue Trooper. Hayley Atwell (“Mission: Impossible,” “Captain America“) Jack Lowden (“Slow Horses,” “Dunkirk”), Daryl McCormack (“Bad Sisters,” “Good Luck to You Leo Grande”) and Reece Shearsmith (“Inside No. 9,” “Saltburn”) also star. Expect to hear Jemaine Clement (“Avatar 2: The Way of Water”), Matt Berry (“What We Do in the Shadows”), Diane Morgan (“Cunk on Earth”), Alice Lowe (“Black Mirror”), Asa Butterfield (“Sex Education,” “Hugo”) and Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones,” “The Lord of the Rings”) too.
Thanks to Empire Magazine for these shots.
’Rogue Trooper’ highlights Rebellion’s leading position within the entertainment industries,” Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley said. “ It has been filmed at our dedicated Oxfordshire film studios and combines beautiful storytelling from our iconic 2000 AD comic-book universe with animation and production technology from the video game industry. We cannot wait for everyone to see these incredible stories brought to life on screen.”
The “Rogue Trooper” comics were created by artist Dave Gibbons (“Watchmen,” “Kingsman”) and writer Gerry Finley-Day (“Dan Dare”), and tells the story of 19, a Genetic Infantryman, who finds himself the sole-survivor of an invasion force.
“2000 AD offers a very different flavor of comic action: Political and brutal at times, but always with a Pythonesque twinkle in the eye,” Jones said. “‘Dredd’ (2012) was a taste of what 2000 AD has to offer and now we get to show the world another side of the beast. It is a genuine privilege to be given the opportunity to make ‘Rogue Trooper.’”
While there isn’t an official release date yet, we’re hoping maybe sometime later this year? We’ll let you know what we hear about this and other news.
