Timothy Spall Transforms Into Ian Paisley For New Film
The first photo for a new film about the Northern Island Peace Process shows how much Timothy Spall has transformed for his role as Reverend Ian Paisley.
In this still from ‘The Journey’, Paisley is shown walking alongside his long-time opponent Martin McGuinness, played by Colm Meaney.
The film will chart how these sworn enemies, firebrand protestant loyalist Paisley and republican leader and ex-IRA member McGuinness become unlikely friends.
The duo would go on to play a key role in the Good Friday Agreement. Paisley and McGuinness became First Minister and deputy First Minister respectively in May 2007. Paisley died in 2014.
The film is described by The Hollywood Reporter as a “dramatic comedy” and is currently shooting in Belfast.
John Hurt and Freddie Highmore will also star in the film, which is written by Colin Bateman and directed by Nick Hamm.
Spall is perhaps one of the most beloved and versatile actors in Britain, starring in Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire’ and indie classics like ‘Secrets And Lies’.
In 2014 Spall won a Best Actor prize at Cannes for his portrayal of the artist JMW Turner in Mike Leigh’s film about the artist.
Meany is perhaps best known for playing Chief O’Brien in ‘Star Trek’, and was recently the antagonist in ‘Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa’.
There’s no word yet on a release date for ‘The Journey’, but we’ll keep you posted.
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Image credits: IM Global/Press Association
