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Nicolas Cage Plays the Real-Life Spy Who Inspired James Bond in Fortitude Trailer
The Oscar winner takes on Serbian spy Dusko Popov in a WWII action comedy packed with espionage, deception and plenty of cheeky 007 references.
Nicolas Cage is stepping into the world of espionage — but he isn’t playing James Bond.
In the upcoming World War II action comedy Fortitude, Cage portrays Dusko Popov, the Serbian spy widely regarded as one of the real-life inspirations behind Ian Fleming’s iconic James Bond character.
A newly released trailer gives audiences a first look at Cage’s eccentric take on the legendary spy, alongside an impressive ensemble cast that includes Matthew Goode, Ed Skrein, Ben Kingsley, Michael Sheen, Lukas Haas, Alice Eve and Jordi Mollà.
A Daring Mission Against the Nazis
Directed by Simon West and written and produced by Simon Afram, Fortitude is based on a true story surrounding one of the most elaborate deception campaigns of World War II.
The movie follows British intelligence officers Dudley Clarke, played by Skrein, and Thomas Argyll “TAR” Robertson, played by Goode, as they develop an enormous deception operation designed to mislead Nazi Germany ahead of the Allied invasion of Normandy.
The operation becomes a complex web of fake armies, tanks, aircraft, ships, actors and false radio communications intended to convince Hitler that the Allied invasion would take place somewhere other than Normandy.
Nicolas Cage’s James Bond Connection
Cage’s character, Dusko Popov, provides the film with its most direct connection to James Bond.
Popov was a real Serbian-born spy who worked for British intelligence during World War II. His life and espionage activities have long been associated with the inspiration behind Fleming’s fictional spy.
The film also features Ian Fleming, portrayed by Malilk. Fleming would later create the James Bond novels that launched one of cinema’s most successful spy franchises.
The trailer plays up the connection with several humorous references to Bond. Cage’s Popov orders a familiar vodka martini, carries a pistol reminiscent of Bond’s signature weapon and participates in a joke involving the famous 007 designation.
A Star-Studded Cast
Alongside Cage, Fortitude features a cast packed with recognizable names.
Matthew Goode plays intelligence officer TAR Robertson, while Ed Skrein portrays Dudley Clarke. Michael Sheen takes on the role of Winston Churchill, appearing almost unrecognizable in the part.
The cast also includes Ben Kingsley, Lukas Haas, Alice Eve and Jordi Mollà.
The movie has been described as having the energy of Ocean’s Eleven combined with Inglourious Basterds, suggesting a mix of elaborate schemes, action and dark comedy.
The Real Operation Fortitude
At the center of the film is Operation Fortitude, the Allied deception campaign created to protect the real D-Day invasion plan.
The Allies constructed an elaborate fictional military force designed to persuade Nazi leaders that the main invasion would target Pas-de-Calais rather than Normandy.
The deception involved inflatable equipment, dummy vehicles, fabricated communications and double agents.
The strategy played an important role in keeping German forces uncertain about the Allies’ true intentions during the buildup to D-Day.
Fortitude Is Also at the Center of a Netflix Lawsuit
The film has faced an unusual off-screen controversy involving Netflix.
The filmmakers allege that Netflix, which received a copy of the unreleased movie while considering whether to acquire it, lost the film after several hard drives containing the movie were reportedly stolen.
Producer Simon Afram is seeking $105 million in damages.
Netflix has disputed the claim, saying it does not believe it should bear responsibility for the loss of a film that was allegedly delivered without appropriate industry-standard security measures.
The streaming company has also said it investigated the matter and offered additional assistance to the filmmakers, including monitoring known piracy websites for unauthorized copies.
When Will Fortitude Be Released?
Despite the new trailer, an official release date for Fortitude has not yet been announced.
For now, the trailer offers the first major look at Cage’s unusual portrayal of Dusko Popov — a real-life spy whose exploits helped inspire one of the most famous fictional secret agents in history.
Adam Smith is an accomplished individual who serves as an chief contributor at Healthify Magazine, a leading publication dedicated to promoting health and wellness. With a passion for empowering individuals to live healthier lives, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
