(Updated) The Eagle of the Ninth Location Filming in Scotland Due Near Fox Point

Eagle of the Ninth watch continues today. More news is now available regarding previously reported location filming due in Scotland the first two weeks of October for Kevin MacDonald's newest film starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell. The report says "local posters say Eagle of the Ninth will be filmed at Fox Point near Dornie and Achnahaird beach." I am unfortunately unfamiliar with this gorgeous area, so this is what I could find for now, looks stunning!
More on area here from Undiscovered Scotland, and
at this link as well----see pic of rock framed beach below:

This information comes directly and most certainly courtesy of Achiltibuiecottage, (cheers and thanks!) where they have some places to rent in this absolutely gorgeous part of Scotland. The Eagle of the Ninth will be based out of Film City Glasgow in October, with this far out location filming in the beautiful highlands also due that month. Meanwhile, as heralded by the press release last week, filming is currently in the outskirts of Budapest, Hungary; all is being met with much interest, stay tuned~

UPDATE: If you are in the area and own places to rent,
PLEASE CALL Claire Murray on:
07970 924 860 or 0141 440 5620
for further information
as they are in need of extra places for crew/cast to stay on COIGACH PENNISULA
from September 29-October 18

Formal Release: Filming Starts on Kevin MacDonald's " The Eagle of the Ninth" Starring Jamie Bell

Focus features has issued a formal press release regarding Kevin MacDonald's The Eagle of the Ninth starring Jamie Bell (Hallam Foe),Channing Tatum, now Mark Strong, and confirmation that indeed acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland has joined the cast. The film, which will be based out of the excellent Film City Glasgow, is now filming on the outskirts of Budapest, and will be on location in Scotland during October, one place being the beautiful Highlands, near Achiltibuie. As readers of this blog will already know, casting has been underway, lead by longtime Sigma/FCG friend Des Hamilton (posts on that here and here). It is also cool to see that Jo Cameron Brown is the dialogue coach; she of course worked with Jamie Bell and others on Hallam Foe as well documented by Colin in the original Get Your People blog, here.

According to my friends at Coming Soon, here is the Eagle write up:

Filming begins today on the Roman epic adventure The Eagle of the Ninth directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald and produced by Duncan Kenworthy. Shooting entirely on location in Hungary and Scotland, the film is co-financed by Film4 with Focus Features, which holds worldwide rights excluding U.K. free-TV.

The cast is headed by Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the upcoming Dear John), Jamie Bell (HALLAM FOE), two-time Golden Globe Award winner Donald Sutherland, and Mark Strong (the upcoming Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood). Macdonald is reunited on the new film with Jeremy Brock, BAFTA Award-winning screenwriter of his 2006 film The Last King of Scotland, who has adapted the screenplay of The Eagle of the Ninth from Rosemary Sutcliff's classic novel of the same name.

Duncan Kenworthy, an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee for Four Weddings and a Funeral, developed and is producing The Eagle of the Ninth through his Toledo Productions. Caroline Hewitt is co-producer. Focus senior vice president, European production Teresa Moneo – who with Focus Features International president of sales and distribution Alison Thompson brought the project into the company – is supervising the film's production with Film4 head Tessa Ross.

The Eagle of the Ninth is set in the dangerous world of second-century Britain. In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (Tatum) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia – to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth. Sutherland portrays Marcus' uncle Aquila, who has retired in Britain; Strong is cast as Guern, an ex-soldier who holds crucial information about the Ninth.

Anthony Dod Mantle, who won the Academy Award earlier this year for his cinematography of Slumdog Millionaire, is director of photography. 2009 Academy Award winner Michael O'Connor and Academy Award nominee Michael Carlin (both of The Duchess) are the film's costume and production designers, respectively. Justine Wright will edit the film, marking her fifth consecutive feature collaboration with Mr. Macdonald.

"All of us at Focus are thrilled to be once again collaborating with our colleagues at Film4 – their support for the most exciting voices in British filmmaking is unparalleled," said Focus CEO James Schamus.

Film4 head Tessa Ross added, "We're incredibly excited to be working again with the wonderful Kevin Macdonald and his brilliant collaborators on this great project – Duncan, Jeremy, and our colleagues at Focus."

Followup: More on Eagle of Ninth Filming Achiltibuie, Scotland

Minor update this morning regarding filming for The Eagle of the Ninth, starring Jamie Bell. As a follow to the piece the other day regarding casting call for a Gaelic speaking young actor, the Times has a new interview with director Kevin MacDonald who gives his thoughts on the Celtic influences he sees with the film, as well as more on the locale for filming, which we know is Achiltibuie, Scotland. The Times notes the village (more info here):
He has chosen the village of Achiltibuie, on the western mainland opposite the Summer Isles, as his location, and he hopes that the locals will be a ready source of extras.

“They were a more indigenous folk than the Celts, who were from further south,” he argues. “They were probably small and dark, like the Inouit, living off seals and dressed in sealskins. We are going to create a culture about which no one knows much, but which we will make as convincing as possible. We are basing it on clues gained from places like Skara Brae and the Tomb of the Eagles in Orkney, so that we will have them worshipping pagan symbols, like the seal and the eagle.

...He is also exploring early Celtic dance and music, including the eerie sound of the carnyx, which he described as ”a Scottish didgeridoo” and was memorably recreated and played, to the consternation of the Queen, at the opening of the Museum of Scotland in 1998. The tribes that the Romans met were Celtic, as described by the historian Tacitus in his biography of the Emperor Agricola,” Macdonald says. “They may have been Picts, of course, but most of the tribes were also Celtic.”Since the history of the Picts has been described by the historian Michael Lynch as “a mystery story with few clues and no satisfactory ending”, Macdonald has a fairly free rein in recreating his ancient tribe; but he is determined to be as authentic as possible, with the tribesmen in the movie all speaking Gaelic. In order to achieve a little contemporary symbolism, the Romans will be played by American actors."

Also as reported previously, filming for this movie which marks a return of Jamie Bell (Hallam Foe) back to Scotland will commence later this fall in October -basing out of Film City Glasgow, on the heels of David Mackenzie's The Last Word which will commence photography next month. BE SURE TO FOLLOW Achiltibuie Twitter where we all learned that crews were in the area seeking to rent cottages for Oct/Nov.

Casting Notes: Des Hamilton for Eagle of the Ninth with Jamie Bell

As reported here several times now, Eagle of the Ninth, the very anticipated new film from director Kevin MacDonald will be filmed in Glasgow using Film City as a production base, and mark the return of star Jamie Bell (Hallam Foe) back in Scotland. Long time Sigma collaborator Des Hamilton is handling the casting for the film, and as noted in the Press and Journal, people everywhere are turning up in hopes of landing a part in the new movie due about the early Roman occupation in the UK. Thanks to a kind wee bird for the heads up, we can see some good photos of the crew and Eagle hopefuls at the casting sessions here via flickr, with the news article pointing out:

More than 100 budding actors packed into a remote Highland community hall on Saturday for the chance to play a role in one of two potential Roman blockbuster movies being made in the region this year.

They posed for photographs at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool’s Mill Street, and left their phone numbers in the hope of joining the cast of Oscar-winning, Scots-born director Kevin Macdonald’s latest production, The Eagle of the Ninth. The story, inspired by Rosemary Sutcliff’s children’s fantasy of the same name, charts the journey of two warriors who cross Hadrian's Wall into Scotland to recover a lost legion. The makers put the call out for actors to play villagers, and for two Gaelic-speaking roles.The only stipulation the movie-makers gave prior to the casting was that the characters must be “lean” to fit in with the story. Some scenes for his [Kevin MacDonald] new production will be shot in October near Ullapool.

As always, I will happily post any reports, stories or photos from this ongoing production; the email is always open sweetonsigmafilms@gmail.com or feel free to leave comments (annoy ALWAYS cool too) to help get the word out and spread the news on what is sure to be another great film productions for Scotland!

Thanks so much to the kind reader for the heads up! much appreciated!

Confirmed! Kevin MacDonald's "Eagle of the Ninth" to Base at Film City Glasgow

Jamie Bell is going back to Govan again, as The Herald has a piece of news I suspected and blogged about here for some time: Kevin MacDonald's new film "Eagle of the Ninth" starring Jamie and Channing Tatum will indeed be based at Film City Glasgow, with the piece noting: "Peter Mullan's Neds is in pre-production and is due to start shooting in six weeks, while Kevin Macdonald's Roman epic Eagle In The Ninth, starring Jamie Bell and touted as the biggest Scottish film since Braveheart, will be produced here from August." They were casting today for extras, did anyone go to that?

While Eagle is not a Sigma production, FCG is of course home to Sigma Films, Serious Facilities, Savalas Sound and much much more. It was also the site where Sigma Films and David Mackenzie based their excellent Hallam Foe, featuring Jamie Bell in the lead role. Much much more great news ahead about Film City, just thrilled to know Jamie will be back in his old haunts there in Glasgow for the filming of what is sure to be an excellent epic adventure!

Be a Celtic Warrior with Jamie Bell in "Eagle of the Ninth" Casting This Week!

Wanna be a Celtic or Roman warrior and fight along side Jamie Bell and Channing Tatum for Kevin MacDonald's upcoming Eagle of the Ninth? Well now you can as casting is on THIS WEEK for Extras in the new movie which will be filming in Glasgow this September. Casting is being done by long time local casting director Des Hamilton (who worked with Sigma associate Kahleen Crawford previously; they each have their own co now) and will take place JUNE 10. Details as follows:

We are currently looking for Scottish men aged between
24-35 of lean physique, who would be able to be strong in combat
to appear in the feature film as Seal Warriors.

Eagle of the Ninth will be directed by Kevin Macdonald (Last King of
Scotland) and produced by Duncan Kenworthy. The film will shoot in
Scotland in September this year. Eagle of the Ninth tells the story of a
lost legion in the battle between the Roman's and the Celts in the time of
Hadrian's wall. Featured Extra's and Extra's will be needed for a number
of consecutive days in September. We are conducting casting in Glasgow on
the 10th June.

If you are interested in this opportunity and fit the description above
then please contact me via email or on the number below and we can arrange
for you to come along to the casting. Look forward to hearing from you.


Kimberley O'Neill
Casting Assistant
Des Hamilton Casting
17f Clerkenwell Road
EC1M 5RD
M: 07791537344
T: 0207 253 5558

GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO APPLY! Note this is NOT a Sigma production, just a post related to JB who is superb.

Thanks to the wee bird who gave me the heads up, most appreciated! Am always happy to post this type of thing to help get the word out for sure!

Jamie Bell's Eagle of the Ninth to Base in Glasgow, Filming in Loch Lomond and Scottish Highlands

More news on the filming for actor Jamie Bell (Sigma's Hallam Foe) and his new film The Eagle of the Ninth. The Herald is reporting tonight that it is very possible the film may be based in Glasgow while filming- NO WORD at this point if they will be using Film City Glasgow as a base, but if they did, oh man, WOOT!! In this article which features a new interview with the director Kevin McDonald, he states:
"We will be basing ourselves probably in Glasgow and we will be doing five or six weeks around Glasgow and places we can travel to in a day, and then we're going to take three or four weeks with a smaller unit and travel round the country and really show the glories of the Scottish Highlands," he said. "There's an element of this story which is a travelogue in a way. It's an epic quest and we want to show the beauty and the majesty of the Scottish countryside."

The movie stars Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell of course, with news that acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland, legend in M*A*S*H, and a guilty fave, Oddball in Kellys Heroes, has also joined the cast! Rock on Jamie!

Sweet Talk With Jamie Sives: Our Interview on Valhalla Rising, Colin Farrell and Triage, Hallam Foe and the Allure of the Beard

Over the past years now this blog has contained news and opinions about Scottish actor Jamie Sives. This week, I was given the extraordinary opportunity to ask some questions of my absolute most favorite actor who graciously took time out of his busy schedule to do so. I still can scarcely believe it. I'm astounded that I could be so lucky, and am hugely grateful and very, very appreciative to Jamie and co for agreeing to this, truly, a once in a lifetime moment for any fan. What follows below are reflections and thoughts about his work on films such as the upcoming Valhalla Rising with Mads Mikkelsen, Triage with Colin Farrell, Sigma Films, Hallam Foe and Jamie Bell. We talked movies, music, plus yes, there is even talk about the beard.


2009 is the year of Jamie Sives, or so I said to the actor who is currently at work in London on Ghrinder Chadha's new film "It's a Wonderful Afterlife." Jamie is set to be seen on screen in two major motion pictures this year: Nicholas Winding Refn's Vahalla Rising, and Danis Tanovic's Triage. Right off the bat, I emphatically state my opinion how I view the year, and ask him about the two films, getting a quiet modest answer in reply: "Well, thank you. I too hope the films I did last year will do well on their releases this year. Valhalla Rising was great fun to do. I love going home to shoot a film and for me, there's no better place to be than The Highlands of Scotland."

Valhalla Rising of course is the latest effort from Nicholas Windig Refn which is due out in August of this year. Film City Glasgow, home to Sigma Films, served as a base of operations for the film, and the production was well documented on YouTube, and occasionally, this blog. The film stars Mads Mikkelsen as a One Eye warrior in ancient days of Scotland, with buzz on the internet about the film calling this a Viking Film. Jamie spoke about his prep work for taking on the role of "Gorm," as well as working with the legendary Refn, who prefers to shoot chronologically, and as reported, portions of the movie are done in slow motion.

"The Vikings occupied most of Scotland for a very long time so we were playing the sons of the sons of the sons of Nordic Vikings and therefore, didn't have to do any hurdy gurdy accents. We all play Scots-born descendants of Scandinavian Vikings. My character is the quiet black sheep of the group and Nicholas very kindly allowed me to cut all my lines so I don't play the kind of Viking one might expect. My personal preparation will have to remain a secret, but all the actors read up on the history and attitudes to Gods, Myths and Superstitions of the time. Valhalla is not a film about Vikings so we didn't have to work too hard for authenticity. It's not a Viking movie. Nicholas hates them."

He continued: "Nicholas is a very clever guy and has an encyclopedic knowledge of movies and how they are made. He had a very stylistic idea of how he wanted to make Valhalla, like he had when making Bronson, but can also do the realistic stuff brilliantly, like he did with the Pusher Trilogy, which, if you haven't seen then you should. Slow-motion is just a camera setting so we just acted as we would."

In 2002 Sigma Films released a lovely and ultimately uplifting film about a man who wanted to end it all, but found love and a life worth having before it was too late. This award winning film was Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself and earned Jamie Sives a host of critical acclaim, and even a BIFA nomination for "Most Promising Newcomer." A co-star in Wilbur is a brilliant Danish actor who was only just beginning to become well known globally, Mads Mikkelsen. Jamie is about to embark on a third film working with Mads, as he broke the news to us of a new project as he recently joined the cast of The Clash of the Titans with Mikkelsen. On Mads:

"It was great to work with Mads again. He's a fantastic actor who really cares about the project he's working on. He's also a very funny guy. Everyone loved him. I'm working with him again at the moment on the re-make of Clash Of The Titans. We're in rehearsals for that and had the first read-thru today. Although I only play a small role in the film, some of my stuff will be with Mads. That will be the third time. I think we may get married. I'm looking forward to it. It's a big-budget, Hollywood movie with an incredible cast and by far the biggest thing I've ever worked on. I sat next to the beautiful Elizabeth McGovern at today's read-thru and she told me that Wilbur was her favourite movie and I her favourite actor. I was bowled over."


SOME LIKE IT HOT

One day last year I got a text from a former colleague who, half laughing said hey Sue, AP is running some pics of a new film with the good looking dude from Miami Vice and I think that Scottish actor bloke you are gaga over is also in the film. You gotta ask if they want to come work for our side of the aisle now! Sure enough, there were set photos from Danis Tanovic's new movie, Triage, based on the novel by Scott Anderson, which features those most brilliant, complex, and fearless of media type: the war photographer. I was very curious to learn Jamie's thoughts on playing a such a role and taking on a part that hopefully will reflect with integrity and honesty the dedication and bravery these men and women show with their work. The first of what I'm sure will be a slew of similar questions regarding the media as they do press before the release of the film, I asked about taking on the part of a war photojournalist. Not only did he give some thoughts on his character's job, but Jamie Sives also speaks about the Oscar winning director and his co-star, acclaimed actor Colin Farrell.

"In Triage, Colin and I play photographers. I'm not too sure about the term 'photojournalist.' The photographers who work in war zones don't write anything. They take photos and send them home. These guys have to go where journalists dare not. Many war correspondents, although very brave, can cover most wars from the rooftop of a hotel but the photographers have to get right in there to get the shots. They sometimes work in tandem with a print journalist, but more often than not, they work alone."

"We had an amazing guy called Damir Sagolj as our advisor and he had quite incredible stories on the places he worked and the things he witnessed. I happen to admire serious news journalism. They're committed to providing the world with the truth, and I'd hate to imagine just what greater liberties the powerful people of the world would take if journalists didn't question or expose them."

"Incidentally, I also think some of them make great screenwriters. Some of my favourites like Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder were journos."

On the subject of his well known and acclaimed co-star, Jamie had nothing but high praise for the Irish actor, who recently gave a brilliant Golden Globe winning performance in the hit film In Bruges.

"Colin Farrell is a beautiful man. I couldn't begin to list his qualities. If I had the opportunity to only work with him for the rest of my career then I'd take it. He's a brilliant actor and works incredibly hard. He really raised the bar for me. Danis was wonderful with me. He showed trust in me right from the start. I keep in touch with Colin, Danis and Branco Djuric and value their friendship. It's just great to know guys like these, I feel very honoured."


SWEET SIGMA, HALLAM FOE AND JAMIE BELL

Long time readers of this blog will know (hint, the title is a dead giveaway) that I am a fan not only of Mr. Sives, but also of the fine work done by the Scottish Film production company Sigma Films. I followed the 'making of' blog written by Colin Kennedy and subsequent release of their hit film "Hallam Foe" directed by David Mackenzie and starring the wonderful Jamie Bell. In the movie, Jamie Sives plays an unpleasant married fellow named Alasdair who is having an affair with Kate played Sophia Myles, and is an even more unpleasant boss to Hallam, played by Jamie Bell. Jamie Sives has scenes that are uncomfortable to watch, as his character is so nasty to Hallam and has rough sex with Kate. I asked Jamie what it was like to take on such a part, and he answered "It wasn't hard to take on. It was, like everything I've done quite difficult to do. I find acting incredibly difficult. For me, its a difficult job. I have to prepare properly and if I don't, I haven't a clue what the fuck I'm doing. I've tried, out of curiosity, to just try and turn it on and only made an arse of it, so I try to do my homework."

Having done his homework, he routinely won critical praise in most of the reviews of the film for his solid performance in Hallam Foe, and the film was a winner too at various festivals before being released here in the US under a different name "Mister Foe." The actor had nothing but high praise again for the company behind the movie, Sigma Films, as well as for his co stars and the crew helmed by director David Mackenzie:

I'm sorry, but I don't have anything other than complimentary to say about both Jamie and Sophia. Jamie really does know what to do. Hits the ground running every time. I may be wrong but I'm sure that he does his homework too; he has everything covered.

Sophia was very professional - one has to be - it's a very odd situation to find yourself in. What ended up on-screen lasted for seconds but we spent almost an entire day shooting it. The crew help you through things like that. They're very respectful, tactful and discreet and make it easier for the actor...Sigma is an amazingly prolific company, churning out quality films and everyone there works their wee socks off. Along with Richard Jobson, they're leading the way with their output."

HAIR TODAY, BACK TOMORROW

By this point I feel I've been too serious and boring perhaps, and while it would have been really tempting to ask him all sorts of fangirl things (what's your favorite food/color/ book/ group/actor/actress/tv show, boxers or briefs, or even 'wanna get a drink sometime?' ;) something in me snapped, and I could not resist a topic that I often joke and note here on the blog: his appearance. No, not his remarkably handsome face, but what's on his face- THE BEARD! This son of Scotland has sported a beard in several films of late, notably in the Passion, and in both the upcoming films for 2009. So frankly I wondered if it was just a coincidence or what for actors sporting beards for roles is a common thing of course, some artificial, some the real deal... but it turns out Jamie is all manly man, its all real- a real beard lover that is! :)

"Yeah, I love wearing a beard. When I'm not working I just let everything go so when I get a gig I have to shave, wash or cut my hair and stop eating junk food, if required. I don't have a beard for IAWA, but will sport as much as I can grow between the end of that and the shooting of Clash Of The Titans. The Passion beard was half the size of the Valhalla beard. I had more time to grow it and yes, it was all my own. I'm glad you enjoyed The Passion. It's not a bad wee yarn, is it?"

Speaking of beards, Jamie has a brief appearance in Last Chance Harvey where he does sport a beard. I had to ask what it was like to work with the great star and Oscar winning actor of films like "RainMan," "Kramer vs Kramer" as well as classics like "Tootsie" and the superb "Midnight Cowboy." "Yeah, what can I say about working with Dustin Hoffman? I had just got back from shooting Triage in Spain and my agent asked me if I wanted to do one scene in a film. I said I'd rather not as I'd been busy and had a little break before Valhalla Rising, then he told me that that one scene would be with Dustin Hoffman and I said "When do I start?"

!

In just about every interview I've read with Jamie, they always bring up the plethora of jobs he had in the past before taking on acting. I was determined not to go there, for I wanted to know what other jobs he would like to do in the future. He said he'd quite like to try directing one day, but in the meantime isn't hankering for one particular role. Knowing full well things are tough all over with the current economic crises we are all dealing with, Jamie reflected, " I'm happy just to keep the kettle boiling. Things are very difficult at the moment as work is thin on the ground, mainly due to the current crisis in the world but I would love to do an American movie, in America and as an American."

* note: I assure you that we here in America would welcome you at anytime, yep! :)*

BEND IT LIKE SIVES WITH SOME SWEET SIX STRING MUSIC

In the meantime, Jamie is keeping busy with the new "Clash of the Titans" to look forward too and he is still finishing up work on Ghurinder Chadha's new film "It's a Wonderful Afterlife," where he plays a Police Detective. Jamie said of things currently in London: "I'm having fun on IAWA. Ghurinder is great and I'm working with the lovely Mark Addy and my mate Sendhil Ramamurthy, whom you may know from Heroes. He lives in LA, so its great to have him here for a while. He's also a good mate of my best friend JJ Feild, so we're all spending some time together."
IMDB is always full of interesting listings/castings to say the least, and as an ever vigilant fan, I asked him about a film that has been on his page forever. "As far as I know, Bonny Boys isn't happening. I don't know what is next, but I'm sure you'll know before I do. You don't miss a trick."

NOTE: At this point I, I, eh pretty much turn a trillion shades of red and am dead on the floor. dead.dead.dead.

He did continue on about fans, especially when asked about his beloved Hibs Football club, as he said "I'll always be a Hibs fan although I'm not a diehard. The supporters who spend their hard-earned cash to follow them all over Scotland every week for little or no reward are diehards, not me."

There was one last brilliant, no, AWESOME piece of news that he is not only just a music fan, but a musician. "I've spent the last six months writing and recording a demo album. Music's what I like to do in my downtime. I hope to have it completed by June and perhaps get it out there, we'll see. I'm very proud of it."

In parting, I asked this wonderful actor if he had anything he'd like to say to his fans and those who might be reading this, and he graciously said: "I'm very touched when I hear or know of anyone who appreciated my work. Thank you so much for your interest and your time. It means a lot to me. Thanks again."


NO JAMIE, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Much love love love and gratitude,
Suexoxoxxxxxxx




UPDATE: Thanks so much to MadsOnline.net and ColinFarrellfansite.com for mention/link to this interview, much appreciated

In Other News..

First, I PROMISE the Jamie Sives interview will go up later today, just been having an insane 36 hours seriously, naturally when all I want to do this and heh thwarted at every move, curse real life news ;p

Speaking of news, in other news:
Colin Kennedy updated his blog to say I Love Luci is getting closer to being complete! Yay! Titles and credits are the order of the day; can't wait till this is ready to go and we can hopefully get a wee preview! :))

Isa & the Filthy Tongues announced via their official Twitter they are playing the Wickerman festival in Scotland on 24th JULY, which hopefully for those attending, you will hear a live cut of the title track for Richard Jobson's New Town Killers. NTK stars Dougray Scott and Sigmas own Alastair Mackenzie and is due for release in the UK starting June 11. Side note: I love Twitter, despite the antics of mr Kutcher, I adore Stephen Frys. My personal twitter is overrun with other blather, but I am hoping to actually update on SweetSigma more often.

Finally, as a followup to the article the other day about Locations for Jamie Bell's new film either London or Scotland, the Scotsman has a bit more on this, featuring an interview with Scots director Kevin MacDonald on The Eagle of the Ninth (NO NO its not a Sigma film production, but heh if hes coming to Scotland ot film, I strongly recommend FILM CITY GLASGOW ;) Right, well the paper cites Mr. McDonald as follows, so maybe indeed Jamie will be in Glasgow/Edinburgh this summer after all!
Quotage:

This summer Macdonald, who now lives in London with his wife and three children, is expecting to return to Scotland to shoot his latest movie, an adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliff's classic children's novel, The Eagle of the Ninth. The plot follows a wounded Roman soldier and his loyal Celtic slave, played by Jamie Bell, as they attempt to solve the mystery of the Ninth Legion, who set off into the wilds of the Scottish Highlands and were never seen again.

While Hungary will double as England, Macdonald feels there is no substitute for Scotland's landscape. "I'm looking forward to coming up in the next few weeks to scout locations and do prep work – we really want to film in Scotland. Ten per cent of the dialogue will be Gaelic."

OK next post: THE INTERVIEW!!! YAY :)

London the Locale for Jamie Bell?

Jamie Bell fans, here is a random sort of update regarding filming for his new movie The Eagle of the Ninth. Not sure what this means for the previously reported (Variety)location shoots due for Scotland, but Screen Daily has an article on films due to shoot in London over the summer, and notes the following:

A Film London spokeswomen said, "Compared to last year when a lot of things were on hold, London is a lot busier this summer. The weakened pound has had an impact and encouraged US production companies to shoot here."She added that legislation introduced in October, which gave the local authorities powers to minimise traffic disruption during shoots, has also helped to boost London's competitiveness as a filming centre

Projects to shoot include:

- Eagle Of The Ninth directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring Jamie Bell and Channing Tatum.

Fingers still crossed they might still film in lovely Scotland, (hint Film City Glasgow would make an excellent base, just sayin ;)) but then too there is likely a great chance for set photos for JB, cause those photogs in London are pretty hard core.

Speaking of filming in London, there is very little news on filming for the other Jamie (ok my preferred and bestestest Jamie ever :P) Jamie Sives and his new movie "It's a Wonderful Afterlife" The tabs have naturally tracked down one of the leads, the dude from Heroes, following him all over Soho or somewhere. The only shred of info of late is word that night shoots were going on last week, but alas, no idea if Jamie is involved with that or what the deal is. woe.

Jamie Bell to Return to Scotland for "The Eagle of the Ninth"

Ooo cool news today, as Variety is reporting Jamie Bell, starred of Sigma Films/David Mackenzie's excellent Hallam Foe, will be returning to Scotland for filming of the new movie "The Eagle of the Ninth."

Variety is reporting that with production due to begin in August (woot a banner month that is turning out to be!),"Jamie Bell is set to star in the 2nd century A.D. tale, and Channing Tatum is in talks to join him. Script is by Jeremy Brock, who teamed with Macdonald on "The Last King of Scotland."...

The story revolves around a wounded Roman soldier and his loyal Celtic slave who try to solve the mystery of the Ninth Legion, a brigade of Roman soldiers that vanished after heading into the untamed Highlands of Scotland 15 years earlier.Hungarian locations will stand in for 2nd century England, while the Scottish scenes will be filmed in Scotland.Bell is set to play the slave, while Tatum has been offered the lead but has not yet committed."

UPDATE: Rope of Silicon has more on the script, which is based on the book by Rosemary Sutcliff as follows:

The film is a Roman adventure set in the dangerous world of second-century Britain. In 135 A.D., fifteen years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian’s Wall into the uncharted High Lands of Caledonia – to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the lost legion’s golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

You can preview the book, and read excerpts here. Woah very cool news, go Jamie Go!

Happy Birthday, Jamie Bell

Cheers to you Jamie, wishing you a very Happy 23rd Birthday!
Having just completed principal work on Tintin with Spielberg and into post production with PJ, Jamie Bell is a wonderful actor, heres hoping for a great year ahead for him.
Work with Sigma:

HALLAM FOE...brilliant film, please go see this gem, teaser trailer below which is ten times better than the main trailer, sorry but true



Dear Wendy

Picture Post!

Bits and bobs:

Tickets for the screening of David Mackenzie's Spread at Sundance are SOLD OUT

Jamie Bell has been busy attending screenings galore for Defiance (me on the film-disappointment, but Jamie was good) He was just in LA last week and then high tailed it home to NYC for a screening last night-looking fierce here I think! Slew of photos available via Getty
Meanwhile, Sunday was the Golden Globes of course and Ashton and Demi were there looking unfairly lol gorgeous! what a handsome couple they make! I will say I like Ashton with that dread beard thing hes got going on-rather like handsome Mr. Mackenzie of late too :D Lets see if they both still have them this weekend at Sundance!



Finally, Congratulations to Colin Farrell for what I think
is a well deserved win at the Golden Globes for his
turn IN Bruges! While Ive never been one who has been
all agog over his looks, I actually do think some of his
performances are usually good-have seen almost all of his films, and am of course really looking forward
to Triage with Jamie Sives this year. I do hope Mr. Farrell has laid his demons to rest and can happily get on with peace and happiness in his life, for it seems to be working as I rather enjoyed the quirky In Bruges, so I am hoping this bodes well for a great performance/film in Triage too! :)

Jamie Bell Comments on Pending Actors Guild Strike, Future Movies on Hold and More

MoviesOnline has posted a new interview with actor Jamie Bell (Mister Hallam Foe). The bulk of the article focuses on his upcoming "Defiance" film (which has some good comments on co-stars Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber) but of interest are comments at the end regarding the looming Screen Actor's guild strike and the impact of the economy plus a possible strike on his future new movies. Quotage as follows:

MoviesOnline: What do you have coming up?

JAMIE BELL: There’s a lot of things that were supposed to go this year, especially early this year and then late this year. And then we all kind of found ourselves in a global economic downturn and now nothing’s being made. Everything is on the runway waiting for the tower to clear it and as usual they’ll all get cleared at the same time and then we’ll end up doing absolutely nothing.

MoviesOnline: What about the possibility of the actors going on strike?

JAMIE BELL: It’s ridiculous.

MoviesOnline: Do you think once that’s resolved the floodgates will open?

JAMIE BELL: I hope so. I really do. I don’t know what my position is on any of that, really. I just know it’s a pretty bad time right now for a lot of people and a lot of people don’t have any jobs and a lot of people are running out of money and people need to get back to work -- across the board, everywhere, all over the world, not just the entertainment industry. But a strike right now seems utter lunacy to me.

Couldnt agree more, but I am uncertain of all the nuances behind the potential strike. I fully realise things are horrible for many, and its only going to get worse before we will turn things around-and they WILL TURN- but in the meantime art will continue to suffer. Many of my friends have seen lay offs galore, the publishing industry is cutting back terribly as well-leisure items the first to suffer and people just dont buy books or go out to cinemas (at 10 a pop no less!) during times like this, so hence the arts and worlds I know are hit hard. Having talked to my friend Helge and the things she has seen around her-I do worry so. Im certain its the same in the UK and Scotland esp-worry very much if David will get to make Stain in the Snow, or Rounding Donkeys will ever see the light of a cinema, or Colin's Luci film will make it too-let alone these good folk will have jobs to support them in the months ahead.

To end on a positive note, Jamie did reference slightly Hallam Foe, and working on accents:

MoviesOnline: You’ve done accent work before, is that something that comes relatively naturally for you at this point?

JAMIE BELL: You have to. Being a Brit, it’s like you have to get rid of the accent quickly. Pretty much everything I’ve ever done there’s always an accent and it becomes the same ritual, just the different sound in the end.

MoviesOnline: Are any easier or harder at this point?

JAMIE BELL: Generic American is like you can just click your brain and you start doing it, it’s pretty good. But I did Scottish recently which was a challenge, a real challenge because – what was it that I wanted to slip into? Oh no, it was this one, I did Scottish and then doing this kind of accent I almost wanted to slip immediately back into Scottish, because there are certain vowel sounds that kind of sound the same for some reason. Liev and Daniel had to learn another language, which is a little different.

Video: Jamie Bell talks Defiance

So the big holiday movie push is on, and there has been a slew of promos/interviews for Defiance. Unfortunately early reviews for the film are not good (my friends at rotten tomatoes have it listed with only 42 percent...eh). Anyway, was surfing about and stumbled over a new video interview on traileraddict.com with Jamie Bell (Sigma Film's Mister Hallam Foe). Always nice to get to watch Jamie, regardless of what film he is in, such a poised young man and always interesting to listen to what he has to say). Bit disappointed in the Defiance official website-theyve made it into some sort of GAME. god almighty. just NO NO NO but I will save that rant for another day

Finally, Mister Foe DVD is Here

Sorry for the long delay in posting, life continues to interrupt my blogging fun- curses :P

Well one glorious week ago, my long awaited MISTER FOE DVD arrived promptly in the am from Amazon. I've watched the film several times now enjoying it more and more, luxuriating in the ability to watch a scene at my choosing, thinking back on some of the scenes Colin blogged about via GetYourPeople while filming and being able to pause it at that moment, marveling again at David's astonishing eye, demand and command of detail revealed with Giles superb cinematography-I MUST GO TO EDINBURGH SOOOON; all in all reveling in countless fangirl moments becoming enchanted with the movie all over again.

Super joyful moment: TWO OF Colin Kennedy's WONDERFUL podcasts/behind the scenes features made it to the disc! woot! Sure I have them already on my iPod, but still its a thrill to see them playing up on my Sony Bravia high def TV! woot! Not sure why Magnolia couldnt suck it up and put all of it on there- such a wonderful look and behind the scenes look at the making- surely the Jamie Bell fans alone would have reveled in it! whatever, at least there was this and I was glad to have that at least.

Also a couple deleted scenes- some in particular lovely camera movements following Hallam through the house, showing his relationship more with both his sister and his father. Not sure why these were deleted, would love to hear David's thoughts on why this was cut.

UBER WHINEY SELFISH MOMENT: NO DIRECTORS COMMENTARY- boooooooo! Stab stab stab through the heart again, I am deprived yet again of the opportunity to hear the thoughts of my favorite director on his work. What the hell? *slaps hand on head* Dear Magnolia, why why was this not included? WHY????? You just hate me right? :P Seriously though, when the filmgoing audience has the opportunity to hear someone of the high calibre and true visionary outlook that David has, why on earth was this not included. Man oh man, the UK DVD has more than this. baaaah.
I guess I will have to go buy the UK version just to hear it but it will be worth it-still a final piss on you move from Mag I guess heh.

Positive notes: Not sure how well the sales are going but the reviews seem to be mostly positive so far. Even Entertainment Weekly gave it a B+ which considering they didnt like the movie lol, this is good. Also the other day I happened to stumble over an older but nice review from Jeffery Lyons at Reel talk and they were very enthusiastic about the movie, worth a look if you are into watching these types of reviews.

New Pics of Jamie Bell at "Defiance" Premiere

Jamie Bell drives in Style :) Or so the marketing/photo ops went for a red-carpet event in Hollywood





The fansites are awash in new Jamie Bell photos of late, especially since the premiere of Defiance, starring Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell, was held last night in Los Angeles, California. (Be sure to click that link to the Defiance website that has some additional background and testimonies about the story the film is based on as well as a nice bio of Jamie that mentions Hallam Foe). Online today, there is a brief interview with Jamie in one of the UK papers where he says:

"It feels like LA is so far away from there," added the 22-year-old. "It's unfortunate my family couldn't be here tonight but that's always going to be home for me for sure."

Jamie stars alongside 007 actor Daniel Craig in the movie, which is about Jewish brothers who join Russian resistance fighters to fight the Nazis in the Second World War. Despite Daniel being one of the biggest names in the movie world right now, Jamie insists there were no diva antics during filming in Lithuania."None of us went back to our trailers, we were in the woods and we'd all sort of hang out and drink coffee and be together, we really felt like we were part of a family," he said.

I have a few wire pics, be sure to check out this link to WireImage for loads more!

Trout Fishing and Other Belated News

Egads but have I been dreadfully overwhelmed of late, and pitifully behind on things from the sweet world of Sigma, so here is what I've missed of late.....

It's no fish tale this bit of news, no, it's Trout, the short film directed by Johnny Barrington and produced by Anna Duffield of Sigma. Trout has been screening over the past few weeks as part of Scottish Digital Shorts 2009; the last showing this month was yesterday of course, but fear not, lucky people in Inverness can see it next month on November 3 at Eden Court, then on November 13 folks in Dundee can see it at the Contemporary Arts center there. No word if Mr. Barrington or Anna D was there but blurg I hate this ocean that gets in my way from enjoying all this stuff!

Congratulations go to Jamie Bell for a win as Best Actor at the Tunisia Film Festival for his role as Hallam Foe!

The ever awesome KATIE DICKIE presented the nominations for the Scottish Bafta Awards. One film she is in even got a nom (the lovely Summer which Ive now seen and really liked, just a lovely film). The Herald had a short mention of Katie and her own BAFTA she rightly won for her flat out brilliant performance in Red Road. The piece noted Katie has to store this on a shelf high out the reach of wee hands, those belonging to her young four year old daughter who "thinks the Bafta face-mask is a dressing-up head, and Kate usually found it festooned with necklaces and earrings when her back was turned."

LOL my twin nieces do the same thing, only its with a freaky Bratz/Barbie head that I got them last Christmas. Anyway, the Herald blurb also said Katie wants to smile more in roles (People think I'm a miserable cow," she admits) WELL WHAT ABOUT IN ROUNDING UP DONKEYS???? I thought this was supposed to be much more comedic, right people Sigma- HINT NUDGE HINT FOR MORE INFO ON THIS MOVIE PLEASE .... :))) No word if Katie will be presenting this year, but I can hope, along with another appearance from Alastair Mackenzie or Kahleen Crawford or any of the gang from Sigma-I dearly hope Colin will be going and post something just because I especially enjoyed all his drunken hilarious and strangely well written post party posts, like for the Baftas and at all the festivals...ah the good old days!

Anyway, here is a pic of Katie, who I think has a great smile!

New Trailer Online for Jamie Bell's "Defiance"

Quick update: Been down with a horrible cold, went to NYC-FRANZ FERDINAND I LOVE YOU! more on that shortly, and just saw via Empire via Variety lol, the new full length trailer for "Defiance" is now online.
The film of course stars Daniel Craig who is getting huge amounts of press these days bleh, as well as Jamie Bell (Mister Hallam Foe). I have to say this new trailer seems to be a bit too bondish for me, but Craig is actually a fine actor (as is Mr. Bell and Liev Schreiber), and I remain hopeful the film will actually be better than this.

New "Defiance" trailer

Rumor Alert: Jamie Bell to Star in New Film "A Single Man"

Rumor Alert! In Marc Malkin's column for E! Entertainment, it claims actor Jamie Bell (Hallam Foe) will be starring in designer Tom Ford's first directorial effort "A Single Man" based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood.

Quotage:

Sources reveal exclusively to me that it looks like Colin Firth will star as a gay college professor who deals with the sudden death of his lover. The character is helped in his efforts by a lifelong female friend and one of his students.

Firth's rep tells me "he's in discussions" but it's not a done deal.

Julianne Moore will play the friend while Jamie Bell has signed for the student role, my sources say. The story takes place in 1962 in Los Angeles.

No studio is attached to the project, but Ford plans to begin filming in L.A. in November.

Seems I remember the last rumor about a new Jamie Bell role in that Chuck Russell film did not take flight, so no idea if this has any merit or not. Jamie has been looking for new projects, so perhaps this is the real deal, and working with Julianne Moore would be fabulous of course. We shall see.