The idea of Nolan taking on a war film is an exciting prospect, and focusing on such a pivotal moment of the British involvement in World War II should be particularly exciting to see the Inception and Dark Knight Trilogy director tackle. The Dunkirk evacuations saw 300,000 troops rescued from the French coast by a ramshackle armada of navy vessels, merchant ships and fishing boats. While it essentially marked a British retreat from mainland Europe, it would spark a turning point in the conflict that would ultimately see the Allies return with renewed vigour.
Nolan has again penned the script with his brother Jonathan, while his wife Emma Thomas will produce. Dunkirk will apparently be shot on a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large format film, in keeping with Nolan's staunch opposition to digital filmmaking. Warner Brothers has already announced that the film is scheduled for release on 21 July 2017.