Columbia Pictures has acquired domestic distribution and a good portion of the available international distribution rights for David Ayer’s epic war film “Fury,” with Brad Pitt set to star in the leading role, it was announced by QED International CEO Bill Block and Doug Belgrad, President of Columbia Pictures.
“Fury” is set during April 1945, at the very end of World War II. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theater, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and its five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.
QED is producing the film with John Lesher’s Le Grisbi Productions and Ethan Smith. Alex Ott is co-producing the feature with Ayer. Principal photography is set to begin in September and Columbia anticipates releasing “Fury” on Nov. 14, 2014.
“We loved this script from the moment we read it,” Belgrad said. “This is epic and authentic storytelling at its finest and we couldn’t be more excited to be in business with David Ayer and Brad Pitt on this incredible story of sacrifice and heroism.”
QED and the studio previously partnered on the worldwide hit “District 9.” “Fury” is Ayer’s second film with QED, which is financing and producing his ensemble action thriller “Ten,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington and Mireille Enos, and which is set for release from Open Road Films in January 2014.
“Fury” also re-teams Ayer with John Lesher, who produced his last film, “End of Watch.”
Josh Grode and Noel Lohr represented QED in the transaction.
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