Not content with getting his political thrills by playing corrupt, Machiavellian US congressman Frank Underwood in House of Cards, it seems that two time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey has officially agreed to portray former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill in a feature film depicting his life. The biopic will be entitled Captain of the Gate and The Hollywood Reporter is stating that it will chronicle Churchill’s “rise to power as he stood against the parliament to defend Britain and the world from Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich.”
On writing duties is Ben Kaplan whose recent work includes various World War II and Vietnam documentaries and also a Ronald Reagan biopic for the History Channel. No director has been attached as yet but Studio Canal, the production company behind Liam Neeson’s recent action flick Non Stop is said to be backing it. The legendary PM has previously been portrayed by Brendan Gleeson and Timothy Spall but only in cameo roles. No other details have been released.
Originally published March 26, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
