Acclaimed filmmaker Steve McQueen is enlisting four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan (See How They Run, Hanna, The Lovely Bones) for his next major project, Blitz. McQueen directs, writes, and serves as a producer on the film, featuring stories of Londoners during the blitzkrieg of World War II.
Blitz finds McQueen back at New Regency, who he partnered with for 2013’s 12 Years a Slave and 2018’s Widows, starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debbicki, and Cynthia Erivo. McQueen produces through his Lammas Park studio, with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films. Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Michael Schaefer produce via New Regency. Blitz hails from Apple Original Films, which has been making significant strides to boost its star-studded content. Ronan is part of what will grow into an ensemble cast in the weeks to come. Cameras will roll later this year.
McQueen is busy filming Occupied City, a documentary about Amsterdam under Nazi occupation during World War II, between 1940 and 1945. Based on the book Atlas of an Occupied City, Amsterdam 1940-1945, written by Bianca Stigter (McQueen’s wife), the story explores the once-occupied Netherlands capital and the ghosts still occupying the territory.
As for Ronan, the 28-year-old actress is filming The Outrun for director Nora Fingscheidt. According to the plot, the drama depicts what happens with Amy Liptrot returns to Oakley after more than a decade away. Upon her return, she finds herself drawn to the Outrun on the sheep farm where she grew up. Ronan plays Rona in the film. Additionally, Ronan plays Henrietta in Garth Davis’ climate change thriller Foe. With no shortage of partners for her Hollywood dance card, Ronan is making moves left and right. She also stars alongside Sam Rockwell in Tom George’s whodunit mystery See How They Run, coming to theaters on September 30th.