British actor Tom Blyth has been cast in the upcoming film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. Known for his work as Coriolanus Snow from Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Blyth will take up the lead role of Frederic Henry under Michael Winterbottom’s direction.
Winterbottom’s adaptation will begin principal shooting in Italy next year. With both Passenger and Revolution’s films executive producing, Winterbottom and Blyth have expressed their excitement over the potential project coming out soon. Winterbottom discussed how he wanted to recapture Hemingway’s simplistic yet complex writing and characterizations. “I want our film to be true to Hemingway’s approach — immediate, raw, and natural,” the director explained. Because of this, he believed that he found the perfect actor for Henry’s character.
Blyth himself has expressed similar eagerness for the role and has called it a dream come true. He praised Winterbottom’s work developing the adaptation, stating that he recaptured Hemingway’s “unique nuance and precision.” Additionally, Blyth felt that the story’s “examination of the human cost of conflict, and of love and hope trying to thrive within it” is more relevant than before in today’s climate.
Farewell to Arms has been adapted many times, from a 1932 film starring Gary Cooper to a 1966 series with George Hamilton. Based on Hemingway’s experiences as an ambulance driver with the Italian army, the story follows Frederic Henry as he falls in love with a nurse in Italy after he is injured in WWI.
As the film is still in its pre-production phase, there is no word about its official release date. Even so, Hemingway fans have plenty to look forward to, especially with the author’s estate supporting Winterbottom’s endeavor.
Leave a Comment