Aneurin Barnard and Hayley Atwell Starring in ‘Rogue Trooper’

‘Moon’ and ‘Mute’ filmmaker Duncan Jones has adapted a cult British comic book character for an animated sci-fi movie that has wrapped its main shoot.

(L to R) Aneurin Barnard, Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden to star in Duncan Jones' 'Rogue Tropper.'

Preview:

Aneurin Barnard, Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden are starring in ‘Rogue Trooper’.
‘Moon’ filmmaker Duncan Jones has written and directed the new movie.
It adapts a character from British comic book title 2000AD.

Duncan Jones is a crafty one. Though it has been officially known that he’s been developing a new movie since at least 2018, he’s stayed mostly quiet about forward movement until some recent, teasing hints on his social media presence.

Yet today the news has broken that Jones has already finished shooting his project, an adaptation of cult British comic book character ‘Rogue Trooper’ and is already at the editing stage for the animated movie.

What’s the story of ‘Rogue Trooper’?

Duncan Jones to direct 'Rogue Tropper.'

‘Rogue Trooper’ tells the story of 19, a “Genetic Infantryman”, who finds himself the sole-survivor of an invasion force. Desperate to track down the traitor who sold him and his comrades out, the super soldier is accompanied by three killed-in-action squad mates, whose personalities have been stored in his gun, helmet and rucksack.

The character was created by artist Dave Gibbons –– yes, the one who also collaborated on ‘Watchmen’ –– and writer Gerry Finley-Day. It was first published in British science fiction comic 2000AD (the home to the more famous ‘Judge Dredd’ character) in 1981.

Jones has written and directed the new movie, working with Rebellion and Liberty Films and utilizing Epic’s 3D tool Unreal Engine 5 to craft the animation.

Who is starring in ‘Rogue Trooper’?

Aneurin Barnard. Photo: Charlie Gray.

Aneurin Barnard is starring as the eponymous Rogue Trooper, alongside Hayley Atwell, Jack Lowden, Daryl McCormack and Reece Shearsmith.

The ensemble also includes Jemaine Clement, Matt Berry, Diane Morgan, Alice Lowe, Asa Butterfield and Sean Bean.

What has Jones said about ‘Rogue Trooper’?

Liberty Films to produce 'Rogue Trooper.'

Here’s what Duncan Jones has said about the new movie:

“2000AD offers a very different flavor of comic action: Political and brutal at times, but always with a Pythonesque twinkle in the eye. ‘Dredd’ was a taste of what 2000AD has to offer and now we get to show the world another side of the beast. It is a genuine privilege to be given the opportunity to make ‘Rogue Trooper.’”

Jones has also posted some teaser art for the movie:

Here’s the statement on the movie from Producer Stuart Fenegan:

“The advancements in Unreal Engine 5 and the inclusion of MetaHuman rigs mean that it is now possible to achieve a very high standard of animation within an indie budget. Working with our amazing partners at Rebellion, Epic and Treehouse Digital we are pioneering and developing a new creative pipeline that will enable independent production of CG animated films.”