Blockbuster directed by Bob Hoskins and Richard Attenborough to shoot in city
A BIG-BUDGET blockbuster is due to be filmed in Swansea.
Mediaeval action thriller Ironclad, due for release next year, will see a host of Hollywood stars visit the city for filming.
Screen legend Bob Hoskins is set to direct the £20 million flick alongside Jurassic Park actor Richard Attenborough.
And Paul Giamatti, who had an Oscar nomination for his role in Cinderella Man, has been lined-up for a leading role.
Filming is set to start on October 14, with Oystermouth Castle in Mumbles chosen as one of the prime locations by bosses.
The popular tourist hotspot will be used to shoot a number of battle scenes before filming ends in December.
Sites across South Wales are also set to feature, including Caerphilly Castle. And the Dragon Studios in Bridgend are being used to film indoor scenes for what will be the venue's first-ever film shoot.
An inside source said: "To have a full-on mediaeval blockbuster shooting in Swansea is amazing news for the city.
"Lots of local actors are hoping to land fairly big parts in this, so it's likely to be a massive boost for the city and very exciting for movie fans.
"Everyone involved is really excited that Bob Hoskins and Richard Attenborough are directing."
William Mosely, who played Peter in the recent Narnia films, is on the cast list alongside Rome actor James Purefoy.
Purefoy is playing a member of the Knights Templar in the flick, which is set in the 13th Century.
His character defends Rochester Castle in the story against an army led by the ruthless King John, played by Giamatti.
Auditions for secondary roles were held in Cardiff last weekend and around 25 actors have this week been waiting for call backs.
Read more stories like this in Saturday's Celebrity Scoop column.
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by eddie, uplands
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 12:54PM
“Jim and anon.
My attitude towards RADICAL muslims is not anti-muslim or racist (Islam is not a race) or chauvinistic, bigoted or parochial - I just predicted the protests that may come from the usual Islamist suspects. I do not care what anyone's race or religion is, so long at they accept our values - i.e. freedom of expression, tolerance, freedom of speech etc.
Also - Stereotypes are based on truth after all, and did not come from nowhere - you may have noticed that most terrorists are muslim these days - and most violence against muslims around the world is done by other muslims too. The inability to face that is dishonest and cowardly - so it's a shame the media is silent on it.
Please learn to read Jim - then you'll see that nowhere did I say all violence in the world is done by muslims - they are your words, not mine. Also, perhaps you could comment on the subject of the article instead of just ranting against me...Or don't bother. Same to me matey.”
by Tony Love, Mumbles
Monday, September 28 2009, 9:10PM
“You can see my house from Oystermouth Castle.”
by Jim, Gorseinon
Monday, September 28 2009, 7:59PM
“Eddie gets up on his high horse re. so called "Welsh parochialism" and then promptly trips over his own stereotyped, chauvanistic attitude towards muslims. I think you'll find that violence is committed by all sorts of people all over the world, and is not the sole domain of muslims.
I would suggest Eddie that if you have a radio in the house you try turning it on and listening to it! It's a mind-expanding experience!”
by anon, anon
Monday, September 28 2009, 11:45AM
“Wow, what seemed quite an interesting post descending into an anti muslim rant there Eddie.”
by robert, swansea
Monday, September 28 2009, 7:46AM
“he dies in the end so its piontless watching it”