'King's Speech' Oscar-Winner David Seidler To Pen WWII Pic 'Games Of 1940'

by Catherine Scott
March 23, 2011 11:39 AM
2 Comments

After waiting to write the "The King's Speech" for almost 28 years, David Seidler was 73 years old when he won his statuette for the original screenplay. He granted the Queen Mother, the widow of King George VI, her wish that he not write the film while she was alive, as it would be too painful for her to see. Many thought Francis Ford Coppola's "Tucker" would be his last credit, but patience is a virtue and he emerged on the other side with the biggest highlight of his career. And with an Oscar now under his belt, Seidler has lined up his next gig.

Deadline reports that he'll take on "Games Of 1940" with fellow screenwriter Luca Manzi. Seidler and Manzi have worked together in the past and were inspired by the idea when they came across details of the event while visiting a Polish sports museum. 'Games' is based on a true story of a group of World War II POWs in a Nazi prison camp. When the 1940 Olympic games are canceled due to the war, these men decide to compete against each other on their own. They staged the games in the prison camps unbeknownst to the prison guards, risking their own well being.

So we suppose this means the potential re-team of Seidler and "The King's Speech" director Tom Hooper on "The Lady Who Went Too Far" is on hold for now. But no matter. This inspirational tale seems firmly in the Seidler wheelhouse, and we're sure it's the kind of prestigious and ambitious fare that will find a studio home soon.

More: Films, Games Of 1940, David Seidler

2 Comments

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Tim Parker | March 24, 2011 12:53 PMReply

Good news, pretty inspiring guy. It was an original screenplay win though, not adapted
Leah Zak | March 24, 2011 1:14 AMReply

@Tim Parker - ah, noted. Thanks for the head's up!