One of late filmmakerStanley Kubrick’s unproduced screenplays, entitledThe Downslope, is now being developed as amovie trilogy, directed byMarc Forster(World War Z). The director will also produce alongside Philip Hobbs (Full Metal Jacket) and Steve Lanning (The Secret Garden), who hold the rights to the script, with the project moving forward with the full support and encouragement of the Kubrick family. Lauren Selig (Black Mass),Barry Levine(Hercules) andReneé Wolfe(All I See Is You) are also producing and developing the script withMarc Forster.
The Downslopeis described byThe Wrapas a “cautionary, anti-war tale”. The story follows a series ofCivil War battlesin the Shenandoah Valley between Union General George Armstrong Custer and Confederate Colonel John Singleton Mosby, known as the Gray Ghost for his stealth and elusiveness. His cavalrymen, Mosby’s Rangers, continually outsmarted the much larger enemy forces in a sequence of raids, which enraged Custer and eventually created a fierce cycle of revenge between the two men.
Stanley Kubrickwrote the screenplay between the release of 1953’s Fear and Desire and 1957’s Paths of Glory, developing the story with Civil War historianShelby Foote. The filmmker spent years working on the story, creating maps and extensive notes on how to shoot thewar movie.The Downslopewill expand on his original story and head West, following Americans settling in the new frontier after the war. Here’s what producer Lauren Selig had to say in a statement.
“We’ve been given the unique privilege to produce aStanley Kubrickscript no one has had the opportunity to make. The first installment of the planned trilogy, written by Kubrick, is an engrossing story illustrating a crucial moment in history toward the end of the American Civil War.”
Philip Hobbs and Steve Lanning also offered a joint statement.
“AStanley Kubrickscript deserves a singular director, especially one so gifted working with talented actors. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Marc on this very unique and special project.”
DirectorMarc Forsterhad this to say in his own statement.
“I am indebted toStanley Kubrickand his visionary films. It is an honor and a huge responsibility to take on this project, and we’re thankful to his family for their support. This is a powerful work, an epic story, with its psychological landscape of brother pitted against brother, and friend against friend. We believe it will be an incredibly interesting trilogy, and a great experience sharing our mutual passion of Kubrick’s vision.”
ProducerReneé Wolferevealed that she examinedStanley Kubrick’s handwritten notes and maps forThe Downslopein her statement.
“I had the rare opportunity to pour overStanley Kubrick’s handwritten notes on this script, which consist of literally hundreds of meticulous and beautifully drawn maps, sketches and journal entries. The level of passion and insight that he had for this intense period of American history is both inspiring and astounding.”
