World War II continues to be a rich vein for storytellers, offering tales of courage, sacrifice, and the raw human experience in the face of unimaginable adversity. While many films have focused on the grand scale of battles and the heroics of soldiers, a new project is set to take a more intimate and grounded approach. I'll Get By, a gritty new drama, will explore the harrowing journey of a downed bomber crew, and it has just locked in its leading men.
Josh Bolt, known for his roles in Nowhere Boy and Last Tango in Halifax, and Louis Ashbourne Serkis, who impressed in The Kid Who Would Be King and the upcoming 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, will lead the ensemble cast. The film, written and directed by Brandon Ashplant, is set to begin production at the end of October in England.
The story follows a crew of U.S. Army Air Forces airmen whose B-17 bomber is hit by flak during a bombing raid over occupied France. Forced to bail out into enemy territory, they land in a shifting front line in the chaotic aftermath of D-Day. The film promises to be a tense, character-driven survival story, focusing on how ordinary, flawed young men react to extreme danger and psychological trauma, rather than showcasing traditional heroics.
Joining Bolt and Serkis are Cameron Ashplant (The Last Bus) as Second Lieutenant Walt "Virginia" Hawthorne, Spike White (The Good Liar, The Sandman) as Lieutenant Raymond D. Deaton, Robert Rhodes (The Rapture, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple) as Captain Harold O. Bowen, and Reggie McHale (Masters of the Air, Surviving Black Hawk Down) as Sergeant Jasper W. Collier Jr. The casting brings together a mix of rising talent and familiar faces, promising compelling performances.
Production will begin in Norwich, England, before moving to Guernsey, which will double for wartime Normandy. The filmmakers are utilizing cutting-edge LED Volume technology, with a physical B-17 cockpit and fuselage suspended on a virtual production soundstage to recreate the aircraft's terrifying final moments. This innovative approach aims to immerse audiences in the claustrophobic and chaotic experience of a bomber under fire.
The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Andrew Butler (Albert, In Another Life), with producers Brandon Ashplant, Academy Award nominee Jonathan Tammuz, BAFTA member Patrik Krivanek, Georgia Clarke, John Whitby, and Alexander Finer. Executive producers are Richard Laverick, Stephen Ainsworth, and Stephen Collas. The project is backed by Golden Goat Films, Hex Pictures, and Ephor Pictures, with support from Guernsey Arts, the Institute of Screen Arts Guernsey, and Norfolk Screen.
As the film industry continues to explore the complexities of war, I'll Get By stands out for its focus on the psychological toll and the bonds formed under pressure. It's a story that resonates with the timeless themes of survival and resilience, much like the enduring appeal of war stories that have captivated audiences for decades. With its talented cast and innovative production techniques, this is one to watch for fans of historical dramas.
Filming is scheduled to begin at the end of October 2026, with a theatrical release date yet to be announced. As the project moves forward, more details are expected to emerge, promising a powerful addition to the WWII genre.
