Our part in Murphy's new WWII movie
Ronan Lang
WAR HERO: Cork-born Cillian Murphy will play the lead role in Wayfaring Strangers
THE IRISH Film Board is funding a new World War Two epic starring Cillian Murphy.
But although Irish taxpayers are helping to finance the movie, there's no confirmation at this point whether any of it will be shot here.
Wayfaring Strangers is currently in pre-production and will shoot later this year -- but even if none of it is set here, it will definitely have an Irish feel to it.
Irish production company Treasure Entertainment will be teaming up with Chic Films, the production company behind this year's Oscar-nominated A Prophet, for the new movie.
It has received €30,000 funding from the Irish Film Board.
guarded
Cork-born Cillian Murphy will play the lead in the epic, but the plot remains a closely guarded secret.
Murphy gained international recognition for his role in 2003 as the hero in the post-apocalyptic film 28 Days Later.
His best-known roles are as villains in two 2005 blockbusters -- the Scarecrow in the superhero film Batman Begins, and Jackson Rippner in the thriller Red Eye.
Also booked to star in the new movie is Michael Gambon, who took over the role of Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films following the death of legendary Irish star Richard Harris.
Gambon was born in Cabra in Dublin during World War Two. His family later moved to London.
The movie will have yet another Irish element with the inclusion of up-and- coming Irish actor Robert Sheahan.
The actor, from Portlaoise, is best known for his role as Nathan in E4's hit teen drama Misfits.
Superpowers
Misfits follows the tales of five young offenders on community service who find that they have superpowers.
Locations for the shooting of the movie have yet to be finalised, with cameras due to start rolling in the autumn.
hnews@herald.ie
- Cormac Byrne
