So, anyone still not thinking that Slumdog Millionaire’s recent Oscar win isn’t going to spur a rush to Indian pics? Maybe yes, maybe no. But Joe Wright (Atonement) is getting in on that action for his next pic. Variety reports that the director of the upcoming Jamie Foxx / Robert Downey, Jr. film, The Soloist, has set his sights on Indian Summer, based on the book of the same name by Alex von Tunzelmann.
The film will revolve around the imminent departure of the British colonial rule from India in 1947 from the eyes of British Lord Mountbatten and wife Edwina. They are tasked with overseeing the handing over of the country to the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. While it’s certainly no gameshow, it is a pivotal moment in history for the Earth’s biggest democracy and thus the appropriate surfboard on which to ride any potential Indian-themed cinema wave.
William Nicholson (Gladiator) has scripting duties while Working Title will handle producing via Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan , along with Hilary Bevan Jones. No word yet on casting, although I’m betting the Slumdog kids will clear their schedules.