Blitz (2024 film)

Blitz is an upcoming historical drama written and directed by Steve McQueen and starring Saoirse Ronan, Elliott Heffernan in his film debut, Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, Stephen Graham and Paul Weller.

Blitz is scheduled to premiere as the opening film at the BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2024, followed by a theatrical release in select theatres on November 1 and streaming release on Apple TV+ on November 22.

Synopsis
The film is set in London during World War II. The synopsis reads, "George, defiant and determined to return home to Rita and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London, ensues on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son."

Cast

 * Saoirse Ronan as Rita
 * Elliott Heffernan as George
 * Leigh Gill as Mickey Davis
 * Harris Dickinson as Jack
 * Erin Kellyman as Doris
 * Stephen Graham as Albert
 * Paul Weller as Gerald
 * Kathy Burke as Beryl
 * Benjamin Clementine as Ife
 * Mica Ricketts as Jess
 * CJ Beckford as Marcus
 * Alex Jennings as Victor Smythe
 * Joshua McGuire as Clive
 * Hayley Squires as Tilda
 * Sally Messham as Agnes

Development
In October 2021, it was announced that McQueen would write, direct and produce a new feature film titled Blitz for New Regency, with Lammas Park producing alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films. In March 2022, McQueen confirmed his next project was going to be about Londoners during the Blitz of World War II and that he had discussed this with Anne, the Princess Royal, as she had awarded him his knighthood at Windsor Castle. In June 2022, it was announced that Apple TV+ had picked up the distribution rights. Producers are New Regency's Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer.

Casting
In September 2022, it was announced that Saoirse Ronan would be heading the cast and Adam Stockhausen leading the production design. In December 2022, Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, Stephen Graham and Kathy Burke were added to the cast, along with singer-songwriter Paul Weller in his feature film acting debut. Later that month, Benjamin Clementine, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Hayley Squires and Sally Messham was announced in additional acting roles.

Filming
Principal photography began in London in November 2022. Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden was used as a base. In January 2023, filming took place close to the London Waterloo station. Later that month, special effect crews simulated bombs hitting the water in the River Thames in Wapping. Filming also took place in the London borough of Greenwich. In February 2023, reports were that the production moved to Hull's old town with a filming schedule of two weeks.

Release
Blitz is scheduled to premiere as the opening film at the BFI London Film Festival held at the Royal Festival Hall on October 9, 2024, McQueen's third directorial effort to do so after 2018's Widows and 2020's Mangrove, which was part of his Small Axe anthology. The film will then be theatrically released in select theatres on November 1, 2024, before streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22.