Dominic Cooke to Direct ‘John Daniel,’ Real-Life Story of Woman’s Friendship With Baby Gorilla in Post-WWI England, as Cornerstone Boards Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

Acclaimed British theater director Dominic Cooke, behind the recent stage spin-off “Game of Thrones: The Mad King,” is to helm his first film since 2020’s Benedict Cumberbatch-starring spy thriller “The Courier.”

“John Daniel,” which has been acquired for worldwide sales by Cornerstone ahead of the American Film Market, is based on the extraordinary true story of an unlikely friendship between a fiercely independent Englishwoman and a baby gorilla in the aftermath of WWI. With a screenplay written by Alexi Kaye Campbell (“Woman in Gold”), the film is inspired by original home movie footage and photographs recorded by locals in Uley, Gloucestershire between 1918-22.

“John Daniel” is a Genesius Pictures production, in association with Edward Film Company and produced by BAFTA nominee Debbie Gray (“Good Luck to You Leo Grande,” “Mrs Lowry & Son”). The film is currently in pre-production, with principal photography scheduled to begin in the U.K. in mid-2027. According to the filmmakers, motion capture and VFX will be used to “deliver a photoreal performance” of the gorilla, with visual effects by Axio World, led by Loris Mantello (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Prehistoric Planet,” “The Lion King”) and Maoris Creantor (“The Lion King,” “Fast & Furious 9,” “The Matrix Resurrections”).

Set in 1918 in the Cotwolds village of Uley, still raw from the losses of WWII, “John Daniel” follows Alyce Cunningham, who has built a solitary life behind a wall of wit and stoicism. As per the synopsis, that changes when her reckless nephew impulsively rescues a baby gorilla from the window of a London department store and, ignoring her protests, leaves her no option but to take him in. Mischievous and endlessly curious, John Daniel, as she reluctantly names him, slowly wins her over, and as he becomes part of village life, from the school classroom to the village pub, he brings joy back to the grieving community. When fear and suspicion threaten to drive him out, Alyce must decide how far she will go to protect the animal who has opened her heart.

“The moment I read this beautiful script by Alexi, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” said Gray. “It’s an extraordinary true story about a gorilla, but at its heart it’s a story of love, hope and human connection in the aftermath of war. At a time when the world can feel increasingly divided, this film reminds us of our capacity to heal, unite and find compassion again.”

Added Cooke: “I am delighted to be attached to direct John Daniel – a beautiful, funny and profound story. Alexi’s script gets to the heart of the strange, necessary bonds between humans and animals. It shows how we sometimes need to surrender control in order to feel fully alive. I couldn’t be happier to be working with such committed and driven producers as Debbie Gray and the team at Cornerstone to bring this moving and hopeful true story to life.”

“John Daniel” marks the third feature from Cooke following “The Courier” and his 2017 directorial debut “On Chesil Beach,” based on Ian McEwan’s Booker Prize-nominated novella and starring Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle.

Cooke is represented by UTA and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.