David Wnendt to Direct Sci-Fi Crime Film Athos 2643; Constantin, Seven Elephants on Boar

Publish date: 2024-09-05

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.

Popular on Variety

Related Stories

Photo illustration of a pixelated Taylor Swift with caution signs on her face VIP+

How Celebrity Reps Are Fighting the Flood of Unauthorized AI Content

Secret Level

'Secret Level' Director Tim Miller and Epic Games Execs Talk Hollywood's Relationship With Unreal Engine as Version 5.5 Launches

“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.

Read More About:

Jump to Comments

More from Variety

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Variety Confidential

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXOAjp%2BgpaVfnLmwrsClZp2Zpp6xbsPNnqWdrF2Wwam70mZpb2xjYrCwutKtmKesmaN6tLHVnqVmnZyavamtza2qZmliaIJ6hJhpa2pn