By Stuart Kemp
LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) - The French production company that helped bring "The Queen" to the big screen is turning its attention to another British female icon: Margaret Thatcher.
The film will focus on one of the former prime minister's crowning glories, the 1982 Falklands War against Argentina.
French-owned U.K.-based production and distribution banner Pathe has joined forces with the BBC and independent producer Damian Jones ("Welcome to Sarajevo") to develop the project, which they said Monday will offer "a revealing and intimate portrait" of the woman dubbed "the iron lady."
They have commissioned Brian Fillis to develop a screenplay based on an original concept devised by Fillis and Jones. No director has yet been attached and a Pathe spokesperson stressed that the project was in the very early stages of research and development. No budget was announced but it will be subject to cast.
The film will center on Thatcher's battle to save her career in the 17 days immediately before the Falklands War, which was triggered when Argentina invaded the remote archipelago in the southern Atlantic.
As the Royal Navy sailed to the Falklands to reclaim the territory, Thatcher waged her own war against the male colleagues who doubted her determination.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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