Christopher Nolan is taking his next planned feature out of the realm of superheroes and psychological mindplay -- and into the trenches of one of the darkest periods for troops during World War II.

Titled Dunkirk, Nolan's next flick will feature Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy as British soldiers during one of the most infamous -- and bloodiest -- battles of the Second World War. 

The Dark Knight and Inception director visited the site of the battle earlier this year with his brother Jonathan, to presumably scout scenes at the exact location where the series of skirmishes first took place. Filming is set to begin in May, with Warner Bros. lined up for distribution.

"We are thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Christopher Nolan, a singular filmmaker who has created some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films of all time," said Warner Bros. president of creative development and worldwide production Greg Silverman in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the first American publication to confirm Dunkirk's greenlit status. "Dunkirk is a gripping and powerful story and we are excited to see Chris, Emma and their cast realize it on the big screen." 

The battle, which was fought in 1940 near a hill in France that bears the same name, claimed in between 30,000 and 40,000 casualties on both Allied and Axis sides. The particular aspect the movie will focus on -- the evacuation of British troops by Allied forces -- saved roughly 200,000 from the site. 

This isn't the first time Dunkirk has gotten the on-screen cinematic treatment: the battle was also depicted in the Joe Wright film Atonement. Starring Saiorse Ronan, Keira Knightly, James McAvoy, Vanessa Redgrave, and Romola Garai, the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning one Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Dunkirk is slated for a July 2017 release. 

Via: Vulture

Source: La Voix du Norde