LONDON - Visual effects and animation studio Cinesite (cinesite.com) is serving as a key VFX partner on the upcoming historical action/thriller, Fortitude. Directed by Simon West (
Con Air,
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) the film stars Matthew Goode, Ed Skrein, Jordi Mollà, Alice Eve, Michael Sheen, Art Malik, Lukas Haas, Adrian Topol, Emilio Sakraya, Freddy Carter, Paul Anderson, Ben Kingsley and Nicolas Cage. It's set for release in late 2026.
Based on the events of Operation Fortitude, the film explores the elaborate Allied deception campaign that misled Nazi intelligence ahead of the D-Day landings. Cinesite’s London team is working on a range of visual effects, including large-scale digital environments, period-accurate military assets and the "Ghost Army" of inflatable decoys. The project marks a reunion between Cinesite and renowned production VFX supervisor Steve Begg. Cinesite and Begg have a long-standing history of collaborations, most notably on the James Bond films Skyfall and
Spectre.
"Fortitude presents a challenge for us recreating the intricate ‘theatre of war,’ where the visual deceptions were just as critical as the physical battles," explains Cinesite VFX supervisor Zave Jackson. “It is a privilege to be collaborating once again with Steve Begg. Having partnered with Steve on numerous projects over the years, there is a deep shorthand and creative trust between us. We are excited to support his vision in bringing this incredible piece of history to life with the scale and authenticity it deserves."
"Fortitude is a story about the power of illusion, which makes it a perfect canvas for visual effects," adds Sara Rust, executive producer at Cinesite London. "Working with Simon West to recreate such a pivotal moment in history allows our team to showcase the high level of craftsmanship and historical detail we are known for. We are thrilled to be part of the team bringing this incredible ensemble cast and high-stakes story to the screen."