Following this summer’s Public Enemies (which is still my favorite new movie of 2009) Michael Mann plans to tell the story of war photographer Robert Capa. The film will look at his work during the Spanish Civil War and his romance with fellow war photographer Gerda Taro. According to First Showing:

Columbia has acquired the rights to “Waiting for Robert Capa,” a Spanish-language novel by Spain’s Susana Fortes. Screenwriter Jez Butterworth (Birthday Girl, The Last Legion) has been hired to adapt the book. Apparently Mann has wanted to make a film about Robert Capa for a while and recently discovered Fortes’ novel, realizing it was the perfect story. Over 4000 other photos taken by Capa and Taro during the Spanish Civil War were also recently discovered and will be on display in an exhibit next year.

I’ve always loved Michael Mann’s explorations of men at work and the forward motion of ambition so I can’t wait to see him tackle the story of Capa and his lost love.  All of Mann’s favorite themes are present in the story and when you throw in photography and the Spanish Civil War I can’t help but think this will be a masterpiece of sorts, especially when you factor in that he wants to make it cheap and gritty.  I couldn’t be more excited (seriously).