Cinesite Joins Forces with Director Simon West for WWII Espionage Thriller ‘Fortitude’
Cinesite, the award-winning visual effects and animation studio, has announced its role as a key VFX partner on the upcoming historical action-thriller, Fortitude. Directed by Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) and starring Matthew Goode (The Imitation Game), Ed Skrein (Jurassic World: Rebirth), Jordi Mollà (Mobland), Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness), Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon), Art Malik (True Lies), Lukas Haas (Inception), Adrian Topol (Franz + Polina), Emilio Sakraya (Sixty Minutes), Freddy Carter (Shadow And Bone), Paul Anderson (Peaky Blinders), Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) and Nicolas Cage (Con Air).
Based on the extraordinary true events of Operation Fortitude, the film explores the elaborate Allied deception campaign that misled Nazi intelligence ahead of the D-Day landings. Cinesite’s London team is delivering a range of visual effects to bring this “war of wits” to life, including the creation of large-scale digital environments, period-accurate military assets, and the seamless integration of the famous “Ghost Army” of inflatable decoys.
The project marks a reunion between Cinesite and renowned Production VFX Supervisor Steve Begg. Cinesite and Begg have a long-standing history of collaboration on blockbuster franchises, most notably on the James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre, where they worked together to deliver some of the series’ most iconic “invisible” and practical-hybrid effects.
“Fortitude presents a challenge for us recreating the intricate ‘theatre of war’ where the visual deceptions were just as critical as the physical battles. It is a privilege to be collaborating once again with Steve Begg. Having partnered with Steve on numerous projects over the years, there is a deep shorthand and creative trust between us. We are excited to support his vision in bringing this incredible piece of history to life with the scale and authenticity it deserves.”
Zave Jackson, VFX Supervisor at Cinesite
“Fortitude is a story about the power of illusion, which makes it a perfect canvas for visual effects. Working with Simon West to recreate such a pivotal moment in history allows our team to showcase the high level of craftsmanship and historical detail we are known for. We are thrilled to be part of the team bringing this incredible ensemble cast and high-stakes story to the screen.”
Sara Rust, Executive Producer at Cinesite London
The project marks a significant addition to Cinesite’s 2026 slate, which also includes work on Michael, Masters of the Universe, Spider Noir and Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. Cinesite is helping to recreate 1940s London and the sprawling coastal landscapes of the deception campaign with cinematic scale and historical precision.
Simon Afram is producing alongside Georgette Turner (Fantastic Beasts Franchise), Reza Roohi (ATL Hustle), and Edward Kahl (Queen of Manhattan), with executive producers Bianca Goodloe (Mission: Impossible II), and David Scaramanga.
Fortitude is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release in late 2026.
