David Wnendt, the German director behind controversial coming-of-age movie “Wetlands,” Hitler satire “Look Who’s Back” and teen crime drama “Sun and Concrete,” is once again pushing boundaries with his next feature film project.
Backed by distributor-producer Constantin Film and with Seven Elephants lead producing, Wnendt has embarked on the feature film adaptation of the award-winning novel “Athos 2643” by Nils Westerboer.
Wnendt, who will both write the screenplay and direct the theatrical film, promises an “emotional and spectacular experience that will take the audience into the vastness of outer space,” according to a press statement.
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“Athos 2643” has been described as “‘The Name of the Rose’ in Space.” In the distant future, a mysterious crime unfolds on the lonely Neptune moon of Athos. An artificial intelligence responsible for life support is suspected of murder. An inquisitor specializing in artificial intelligence is sent to solve the case.
In addition to sci-fi elements, the project tells a touching love story between the inquisitor and his AI assistant.
Wnendt’s film will “weave futuristic technology and the archaic life of the monks, with deep human emotions and philosophical questions, to create a gripping and visually stunning world that makes you think. ‘Athos 2643’ shows how love and humanity can survive even in the most remote corners of the universe.”
Principal photography is scheduled to commence in the fall of 2025.
Seven Elephants was formed by Wnendt with fellow filmmakers Julia von Heinz and Erik Schmitt, and the producer Fabian Gasmia. Its recent films include von Heinz’s “Treasure,” starring Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry.