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Hollywood heads to
Liverpool
LIVERPOOL is rolling out the red
carpet with the announcement that once again another major feature film is
to be shot in the City. 'Fantastic Beasts' and 'Where to Find Them'
is the
latest creation written by J.K .Rowling, an all new adventure set in the wizarding world of her best selling Harry Potter books, which were adapted
into the highest grossing film franchise of all time. Liverpool is the
only non studio location that Warner Bros. Pictures is using for the film,
with shooting starting soon at key City Centre locations.
Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) stars as Newt
Scamander, the wizarding world's preeminent magizoologist. He stops in New
York following his journeys to find and document magical creatures for what
will eventually become the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to
Find Them.
Other main cast members include Katherine Waterson (Inherent Vice), Alison
Sudol (Transparent), Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee), Ezra Miller (Trainwreck), Golden Globe Award winner
Samantha Morton (Minority Report, Sweet and Lowdown), Jenn Murray
(Brooklyn), newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove, and Colin Farrell (True
Detective).
The film is directed by David Yates who took the helm of the last 4 Harry
Potter films, and produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the
blockbuster Harry Potter films; wizarding world creator J.K. Rowling; Steve
Kloves; and Lionel Wigram, executive producer of the final four films. It
will be released worldwide in 3D and IMAX on 18 November 2016.
As many as 530 cast and crew will make the City their temporary home, giving
a boost to the local economy.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member responsible for the Liverpool Film
Office, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "We are absolutely delighted
that this huge production is taking place in Liverpool.
We were one of many locations the production team were looking at, and for
us to come out on top is a testament to the expertise, experience and
enthusiasm of our Film Office, packaged with the stunning venues we have to
offer.
We are no stranger to big movies being filmed on the City streets, but
without a doubt, J.K Rowling's new adventure will cause a real buzz and
re-emphasises Liverpool's reputation as one of the most filmed cities
outside of London.
I'm sure we'll give the cast and crew the usual warm Liverpool welcome and
give them an unforgettable experience during their time here."
Producer David Heyman said:- "We are thrilled to be bringing Fantastic
Beasts And Where To Find Them to Liverpool, a City which has such fond
memories for me. My mother is from Liverpool and, as a child, we would often
visit family there. The architecture in this beautiful City works perfectly
for our film, set in 1920s New York, and I know we will receive a very warm
welcome."
Also collaborating with Yates behind the scenes are: Oscar-winning director
of photography Philippe Rousselot (A River Runs Through It, the Sherlock
Holmes movies), 3 time Oscar winning production designer Stuart Craig
(The English Patient, Dangerous Liaisons, Gandhi, the Harry Potter films),
three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (Chicago, Memoirs
of a Geisha, Alice in Wonderland), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor
Tim Burke (Gladiator, the Harry Potter films), Oscar-nominated visual
effects supervisor Christian Manz (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows –
Part 1), and Yates' long time editor Mark Day (the last four Harry Potter
films).
Liverpool Film Office Manager, Lynn Sunders, said:- "This was a very
lengthy process in terms of securing the filming, but throughout it all, we
were confident Liverpool could offer the amazing locations which would fit
perfectly with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
We are so pleased to be able to facilitate this movie, and coming just a
couple of weeks after we announced the news of a new TV and Film studio
coming to Liverpool; it really does go to show we are a City in demand.
This has been a hugely busy year for us so far, and as soon as one project
finishes, another one is setting up.
We're seeing a real trend in productions returning to the City time and time
again, and increasing the length of their stay each time as they have really
positive experiences when working here. The Director, David Yates is an
example of this, having filmed Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and his
debut feature 'The Tichborne Claimant' in Liverpool previously;
we're delighted to welcome him and the team back."
Some blockbusting films that have shot, on location, in and around Liverpool include:-
► 51st State.
► Captain America - The First Avenger.
► Sherlock Holmes.
► Millions.
► Alfie.
► Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
► Fast and Furious 6.
► Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit.
► Nowhere Boy.
► In the Name of the Father. |
