INTERVIEW: Duncan Falconer’s ‘Stratton’ comes to the big screen
When audiences check out the new thriller Stratton, directed by Simon West and starring Dominic Cooper, they might think the story is purely fictional. That’s not entirely true. The adventurous tale about a Special Boat Service operative for MI6 is actually based on the successful Stratton books by Duncan Falconer, who served with the Special Boat Service.
The movie, which also stars Austin Stowell, Tom Felton and Gemma Chan, deals with stolen biochemical weapons, a secret laboratory complex in Iran and a former Soviet operative with a nefarious plan. It’s all in a day’s work for John Stratton.
The movie is out now in theaters, on demand and on digital HD.
Falconer wrote the novel that the movie is based on, after a career in the British Royal Marines and Special Boat Service. Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with the novelist about the new movie adaptation.
What first inspired you to become a novelist?
I never considered writing a book until it was suggested to me that my autobiography might be well received. However, lacking the confidence to pen it myself, I hired a writer to take on the job, but after reading his first chapter, I decided I could do better. The book was quite a success, and therefore the publisher asked me if I would like to have a go at non-fiction. And that’s how I got started.
Were you immediately open to the idea of a cinematic adaptation of your novel? Were you always attached to co-write the screenplay?
I began my writing career writing screenplays, and I was living in Los Angeles when I began my first book. And so yes, I was most definitely open to a movie version. In fact, I tend to see the screen versions in my head as I write scenes. When I first made the movie deal of the book, because of my experience as a screenwriter I was asked to write the screenplay. I expected another writer might be brought in at some stage since that is not unusual. Of course, I hoped that would not be the case, but the director wanted to go in another direction.
After the script was written, how involved were you with the production?
I was not involved in the production.
How has your service with the British Royal Marines and Special Boat Service inspired and informed your Stratton series?
The Hostage, my first novel, which the original Stratton screenplay was based on, was taken from my days as an undercover operator. Mercenary was based on an adventurer I had once I left the service. The other books contain extracts of true events or how I believe the SBS might have responded to situations.
Will there be more Stratton stories?
I am in the process of creating a detailed synopsis for a Stratton trilogy — an epic adventure that will span three books and reveal a great deal more about Stratton, his past and the world in which he operates. And in case you are wondering, based on your second question, I would love to see it as a screen or TV series!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Stratton is now in theaters, on demand and on digital HD. Click here for more information.
