American actor Nicolas Cage has once again stepped into the spotlight with an extraordinary role. This time, he portrays Serbian spy Duško Popov, the real-life figure believed to have inspired writer Ian Fleming to create the legendary character of James Bond.
At 61 years old, Cage has begun filming “Fortitude”, a World War II–era espionage thriller directed by his longtime collaborator Simon West. The two previously worked together on “Con Air” (1997) and “Stolen” (2012).
Fortitude tells the story of British intelligence efforts to deceive Nazi Germany by convincing Hitler that the Allied invasion would take place in Calais instead of Normandy — an operation famously known by its codename, Fortitude.
In this elaborate deception, Duško Popov, a Serbian national and double agent, played a crucial role. Known for his sharp intellect and charm, Popov gained a reputation in intelligence circles for his elegant style and ability to manipulate information — traits that would later define James Bond. According to some historical sources, the famous number “007” was inspired by Popov’s uncle’s phone number in Belgrade, 26-007, which he often had to recall when seeking advice.
Photos from early filming in English villages show Nicolas Cage wearing a tuxedo and bow tie, holding a pistol as he stops a vintage Bentley on a country road. Inside the car are two characters — a man and a young woman, portrayed by American actress Jenny Watwood in a yet-unnamed role. In one scene, Cage is seen forcing the driver out of the car, taking the wheel himself, and driving away with his passenger.
The film boasts an international cast including Matthew Goode, Ed Skrein, Jordi Mollà, Alice Eve, Michael Sheen, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Art Malik. To ensure historical accuracy, the production team has brought on historian Joshua Levine, who previously collaborated with Christopher Nolan on “Dunkirk.”
Filming for Fortitude began in September and will continue through early next year. While the release date has not yet been announced, expectations are high — both for Cage’s long-awaited return in a major role and for the portrayal of a fascinating real-life figure who bridges the line between reality and the legend of the world’s most famous secret agent.
