by Melody Star | 16 Sep 2014 7:39 PM PDT
The Hollywood Reporter released a Behind the Scenes video from the Toronto Film Festival that interviews stars Kiera Knightly, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew Goode and Alan Turning on the film ‘The Imitation Game’. We have a copy of the video below:
Norwegian filmmaker Morten Tyldum’s World War II drama is one of the most hotly anticipated films at Toronto
For decades, Alan Turing remained an obscure figure in the annals of World War II. But the British mathematician, scholar and genius code-breaker played a crucial role in ensuring an Allied victory by deciphering intercepted Nazi communiqués before key battles. Instead of being celebrated, he was tried and convicted by the British government for being gay and took his own life in 1954. Fast-forward 60 years, and Turing’s remarkable story finally is getting the cinematic treatment it deserves thanks to Norwegian director Morten Tyldum’s The Imitation Game. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the film — which at one point was set up at Warner Bros. with Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star — is being positioned as The Weinstein Co.’s main awards-season contender. (In February, TWC plunked down $7 million for U.S. rights to the film based on footage.) THR caught up with the 44-year-old married father of two during a break from production of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny (he is producing the TWC film) to talk about how a Ben Affleck project that fell apart opened the door for Imitation Game, his new in-demand status, and how he got his way with Harvey Weinstein.
The Imitation Game had to be one of the most hotly contested director jobs. How did you land it?
My agent [WME’s Cliff Roberts] sent the script to me because he just wanted to give me an example of beautiful writing. I had just moved to Hollywood. He said, “This is one of my favorite scripts. Unfortunately, somebody else [J Blakeson] is attached. It’s just for your enjoyment.” I loved it. And then I was attached to another project [Ben Affleck’s Bastille Day], and that fell apart, because Argo exploded with an Oscar campaign and it became a huge conflict timing-wise [for Affleck]. But that same week, this one became available. It was fate.
How long did it take to get the job?
It all happened in four days. I had a meeting with the writer [Graham Moore]. I came with my notes. I immediately brought up Benedict because from the first time I read it, I thought about him. I was a big fan of his work in Sherlock, and he hadn’t really become a name in Hollywood yet. And Benedict had been pursuing the part, so it all just gelled. On the budget side, it’s a small project [$15 million]. But we were able to catch a lot of great talent on the acting side and behind the camera.