There was much chatter – and some controversy, given the subject matter – when the announcement came that Ridley Scott, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener would be working together on a new film called The Last Duel. While the assumption was that Affleck – who is co-writing – would also take a lead role, that no longer seems to be the case as Adam Driver is now in talks to co-star with Damon.
The story, which adapts Eric Jager's book The Last Duel: A True Story Of Trial By Combat In Medieval France, follows 14th century knights Jean de Carrouges and the squire Jacques Le Gris., who used to be friends. One goes to war and returns to accuse Le Gris of raping his wife Margerite de Carrouges. No one will believe the woman, and the soldier appeals to the king of France to undo a decision handed down by Count Pierre d’Anencon, which favored Le Gris. The decision handed down is that the two men fight a duel to the death. The one left alive would be declared the winner as a sign of God’s will. And if Jean de Carrouges loses, his wife will be burned at the stake for punishment for her false accusation...
Damon is playing one of the knights, with Jodie Comer as Margerite. Affleck had reportedly considered the other main role, but a schedule clash with New Regency's Deep Water means he's sticking to a supporting part. The script comes from Affleck, Damon and Holofcener, with Scott ready to direct assuming Disney and Fox actually greenlight the movie. If everything works out, the cameras should be rolling early next year.
Driver has a few films coming up, including Marriage Story and The Report both arriving on 15 November and then a little movie called (checks notes) Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, due on 19 December. Talking of, have you heard our latest trailer breakdown podcast?