The story behind the iconic Sydney Opera House is set to hit the silver screen.
The film, Utzon, The Man Behind The Opera House, will tell how Danish architect Jorn Utzon upset Australia's conservative architectural establishment after winning an international competition to design the building.
Utzon arrived Down Under as a celebrity in 1957, but his radical design soon fell victim to domestic politics, petty jealousies and budget constraints.
Not only that - his design would take years to find the engineering solutions needed to build the revolutionary shell.
The Danish/Swedish/Australian co-production will tell how Utzon was forced to quit in 1966 before his masterpiece on Sydney's Bennelong Point could be completed, prompting government architects to move in and finish it as best they could.
Swedish-Australian producer Jan Marnell said the story made for a great film, focusing on the creator of a world wonder who wasn't allowed to see his dream fulfilled.
"We have creativity versus bureaucracy and political manoeuvring ranging from friend to foe," Marnell said.
"We have an outstanding architect with streaks of megalomania and genius, and his vengeful opponents who plot to get him out of the country.
"In the end, they want to take back what they believe should have been theirs in the first place."
Screenwriter Petter Skavlan said it was a fascinating story about how Utzon, who died in 2008, managed to build the Opera House against all odds.
"The epic battle between the architect and the corrupt Askin government is perfect movie material," he said.
The film also brings together Australian producers Marian Macgowan and Peter Herbert, as well as Danish executive producer Ole Sondberg (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Swedish executive producer Lars Weiss.
