Hollywood A-listers to shoot spy thriller in capital
Oscar-winning film director Steven Soderbergh will begin shooting a new film starring top Hollywood stars on the streets of Dublin within weeks, it was confirmed today.
Scenes for the action spy thriller ‘Knockout’ – which was written especially for the Irish capital – will be filmed on rooftops and other locations around the city centre.
Ewan McGregor, best known for ‘Trainspotting’ and the ‘Star War’s prequel trilogy, and award-winning Irish actor Michael Fassbender, critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Bobby Sands in Hunger, both have starring roles.
Hollywood heavyweights Denis Quaid and Michael Douglas have yet to sign off on their involvement in the movie.
It is understood filming will take place at Dublin Docklands, Dublin Airport, the Shelbourne Hotel, as well as other locations in the city centre and Co Wicklow.
Shooting begins on February 2 and is expected to take three weeks.
The Irish Film Board, which is part-financing the project, said more than 100 jobs will be created in Ireland, including cast and crew.
Soderbergh, who won an Academy Award for directing the crime drama blockbuster ‘Traffic’ in 2000 was also behind big screen hits ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’ and Erin Brockovich.
US producer Gregory Jacobs said both himself and Soderbergh were delighted with the talent of Irish technicians and crafts people working on the project.
“Unlike most productions that tailor what’s available to the script, we wrote this movie for Dublin and are thrilled that the city has been so co-operative,” he said.
The film follows the exploits of international spy-for-hire Mallory Kane, played by martial arts expert Gina Carano, as she plots revenge for being double-crossed during a mission.
Fassbender stars as a member of her commando spy unit while McGregor plays the owner of the private military company who handles Mallory.
The film will also shoot on location in New Mexico, Turkey and Barcelona.
Belfast DJ and composer David Holmes is writing the soundtrack.
Simon Perry, chief executive of the Irish Film Board, said the arrival of the film crews was a great boost for the Irish film industry and for Irish tourism.
“Most importantly, the fact that this project was written especially for Dublin reflects the growth of Ireland’s international image and reputation over the past few years,” he added.
Arts Minister Martin Cullen said he welcomed international actors Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Gina Carano.
