Plans to film segments of a Nicolas Cage war drama at Waltham Forest Town Hall ultimately collapsed due to concerns regarding Nazi symbolism.

The production of the forthcoming film, Operation Fortitude, would have required the building to be adorned with flags featuring the swastika.

The movie depicts the historical 1944 Operation Fortitude, a strategy employed by Allied forces to deceive Nazi Germany about the details and timing of D-Day, specifically the Normandy invasion.

Waltham Forest Council granted approval for the project on the condition that the film crew would engage with local residents and ensure “Nazi-era flags and symbols were not displayed publicly.” However, the production schedule was unexpectedly moved up, leaving insufficient time for the promised consultations.

A representative from the east London council expressed their disappointment when the filming was rescheduled from October to September 15, which hindered the planned community engagement.

According to the spokesperson, letters had been distributed by the location team to residents in Walthamstow “clearly indicating that Nazi symbols would be prominently displayed during the filming.”

“Due to these significant changes that did not adhere to our agreed-upon conditions, along with the heightened sensitivity surrounding far-right imagery, we felt we had no choice but to deny permission,” they stated.

No filming permit was issued, the council did not receive any fees for the intended shoot, and the filmmakers did not seek or receive compensation.

Ultimately, the production proceeded in Greenwich instead.

Waltham Forest Town Hall and Fellowship Square have been the site of numerous notable productions in recent years, including the Emmy-winning Apple series Slow Horses.

A full day of filming at the town hall with a crew exceeding 50 people can amount to over £22,000, while a smaller team of five would incur a cost of £2,045 for the same duration.

“The council maintains a long-standing and positive relationship with the film and television sectors,” the spokesperson concluded.