Brendan Fraser to Play Dwight Eisenhower in New D-Day Film About Normandy Landings

Lauren Novak July 23, 3:39 pm

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Brendan Fraser — M. McNeill/Fox Photos/Getty Images and Amy Sussman/Getty Images

A new historical drama is in the works with Brendan Fraser playing the role of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The D-Day film is called Pressure and reportedly focuses on the 72 hours leading up to D-Day, with the weather getting worse and big decisions to be made by Eisenhower. David Haig wrote the screenplay based on his play of the same name.

Army General Eisenhower, nicknamed Ike, was praised for his leadership during the war and would go on to become the 34th U.S. President from 1953-61.

The official synopsis reads: “In the 72 hours leading up to D-Day, all the pieces are in place except for one key element — the British weather. Britain’s Chief Meteorological Officer James Stagg is called upon to deliver the most consequential forecast in history, locking him into a tense standoff with the entire Allied leadership. The wrong conditions could devastate the largest-ever seaborne invasion, while any delay risks German intelligence catching on. With only his trusted aide Captain Kay Summersby to confide in, and haunted by a catastrophic D-Day rehearsal, the final decision rests with Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower. With only hours to go, the fate of the war and the lives of millions hang in the balance.”

Professionals Brendan Fraser, The Alamo', (Season 1, ep. 108, aired Dec. 6, 2022)

Graham Bartholomew/LEONINE Studios/The CW/Agents Holding Film Co./Everett Collection

The title of the film is a double meaning, as the film follows meteorologist James Stagg, played by recently Emmy-nominated Andrew Scott, who must monitor the changing weather conditions ahead of the Normandy landing. Eisenhower must make his decision based on what Stagg tells him and it could mean the difference between life and death. Both men faced immense pressure to do the right thing which had dire consequences for many.

A Dark Place (aka Steel Country) Andrew Scott 2018

Shout! Factory/Everett Collection

This film comes at a time when Fraser’s career is experiencing a resurgence. After working a ton in the ’90s, he took a break and then won his first Academy Award in 2023 for his role in The Whale. He later had a supporting role in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and is also set to appear in Brothers, Rental Family and Sacrifice. No word on when Pressure may be released but Anthony Maras (Hotel Mumbai) is directing and it is slated to start shooting in the UK in September. Additional casting is in progress. Stay tuned for new details.