Dominic Cooper replaces departed star Henry Cavill in Stratton
After star and co-producer Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) vacated the action-thriller Stratton less than a week before its scheduled filming kickoff on June 2, production company GFM Films had to scramble to find a new viable lead. Now, according to Screen Daily they have one in the form of Dominic Cooper, best known for playing a young Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as action films Need for Speed and Dracula Untold.
“Dominic Cooper’s talent, versatility and his originality as an actor, provide the perfect fit for what will be an entirely fresh and memorable action hero,” director Simon West stated.
Cooper will star as the title character, British Special Forces op John Stratton, who is tracking down an international terrorist cell. The film is based on the first in a series of eight novels by pseudonymous author Duncan Falconer, an ex-SBS (Special Boat Service) commando.
In addition to Cooper, the production has lined up the rest of its supporting cast including Austin Stowell (Whiplash), Tom Felton (the Harry Potter films), Gemma Chan (“Humans”), Tyler Hoechlin (“Teen Wolf”), Thomas Kretschmann (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Derek Jacobi (The King’s Speech), Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) and noted Shakespearian actor Jake Fairbrother (Skyfall).
Directed by Simon West (Con Air, The Expendables 2), Stratton will begin principal photography in Brindisi, Italy on July 15 before moving on to Rome and then the UK for filming in London and surrounding locations.
Cooper will be seen in next year’s blockbuster Warcraft as King Llane Wrynn and has taken the lead in the pilot for AMC’s comic book adaptation “Preacher.” He is also expected to reprise his role of Howard Stark in Season 2 of Marvel and ABC’s “Agent Carter.”
