EXCLUSIVE: Richard E. Grant and Brian Cox (Succession) have signed on to star in the animated short project Wittgenstein’s Poker by filmmaker Christian De Vita.
We understand that the short film tells the story of the real encounter between two of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century: Ludwig Wittgenstein and Karl Popper. Their infamous argument, known as the “Cambridge Poker Incident,” ended with one of them allegedly threatening the other with a red-hot fire poker.
Grant plays Ludwig Wittgenstein, while Karl Markovics (The Fakers) will portray Karl Popper. Cox was cast as Bertrand Russell, who was also present at the infamous 1946 confrontation. The synopsis reads: This remarkable ensemble will bring this unique historical moment to life.
The film is directed by Christian De Vita, best known for his previous work as lead storyboard artist on Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr FoxTim Burton’s Frankenweenieand his role as series director of the Disney Junior series PJ Masks. The music is composed by Oscar-winning British composer Stephen Warbeck (Billy Elliot). The script was written by Casey Cohen, who also serves as the film’s producer.
Wittgenstein’s Poker is produced as a traditional hand-drawn 2D animated film with a watercolor style that takes the audience into the intellectual battlefield of these great philosophers and visualizes emotions on the main character’s journey to this fateful meeting.
This project is based on the acclaimed book of the same name by two BBC journalists David Edmonds and John Eidinow. The book has been translated into 18 languages and sold over half a million copies.
The team behind it Wittgenstein’s Poker A Kickstarter fundraising campaign is launching on May 1st. Supporters will receive rewards such as signed copies of the script from all three actors, a Wittgenstein drawing by Richard E. Grant, a storyboarding master class with director Christian De Vita, and a first edition of Wittgenstein’s work treatise from 1922 and a tour of the Cambridge University room where this infamous confrontation took place.
The Kickstarter project was selected as one of eight short films by Kickstarter and MIFA as part of their new initiative to support filmmakers in collaboration with the Annecy International Animation Festival in June.
“Using a traditional 2D animation style, we aim to capture the intensity and brilliance of these iconic philosophers and create a visually arresting narrative that immortalizes this historic moment on screen,” said De Vita.