Rogue Trooper, Duncan Jones Had to Change Course
David Bowie's son tried to acquire the rights back in 2001, showing up to meet the creators with such an unusual look that it made them suspicious.
It took more than twenty years for Rogue Trooper to go from idea to reality, but the real obstacle for Duncan Jones came during production. The adaptation of the famous sci-fi strip published by 2000 AD was supposed to rely on Unreal Engine, but the director soon realized that the graphics engine was not enough to achieve the desired cinematic result.
The project then took a decidedly more complex path, alternating Unreal Engine and Maya (Autodesk's professional software for 3D graphics and animation) and also resorting to other animation and virtual production techniques. A far from linear process, which contributed to extending the production beyond 4 years.
A Challenge That Began in 2001
Jones had tried to acquire the rights 25 years ago, when he appeared before the comic's creators with such a peculiar look that it left them wondering about his intentions: did he want to direct the film or play Rogue?
However, his enthusiasm for the material never waned. The director has always appreciated the satirical and political tone of 2000 AD, and Rogue Trooper seemed particularly suited to his ambitions. Now the film faces its final hurdle: finding a distributor. Jones aims for a theatrical release, even a limited one, before streaming. The voice cast includes Aneurin Barnard, Hayley Atwell, and Sean Bean.