TV JIMMY TO STAR IN OMAGH BOMB DRAMA
TV JIMMY TO STAR IN OMAGH BOMB DRAMA
By CIARAN MCGUIGAN
Challenging role for top Ulster actor
ULSTER actor James Nesbitt is set to star in a controversial new film about the Omagh bombing.
Nesbitt will team up with the same production team that made the controversial Bloody Sunday movie released earlier this year, Sunday Life has learned. Writer and director Paul Greengrass is believed to be already working on the script and is keen to work with the Coleraine-born actor again, following the success of Bloody Sunday. The movie will focus on the victims families' fight to have those responsible for the Real IRA bombing convicted. Nesbitt was not available for comment last night.
But close pals of the actor said he was looking forward to the new film despite expecting criticism for the project.
One told Sunday Life: "Jimmy took a bit of stick for his part in Bloody Sunday, but that will never stop him taking on a project like this.
"Making Bloody Sunday changed his life and he can't wait to tackle another major role.
"If anything, criticism makes him more determined, because he realises that he is just an actor and the people he works with on these movies are the ones who have really suffered.
"He was very moved by what happened in Omagh, like everyone in Northern Ireland was, and believes that this will be a very important film to make. "It will be a very challenging role to take on, and a very emotional one, but a great one for any actor to take on, especially one from Northern Ireland." Nesbitt played civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper in Bloody Sunday.
It is understood that the roles for the new movie won't be decided until the script is finished, but it is expected that Nesbitt will play the part of victims campaigner Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden, died in the 1986 atrocity.
By CIARAN MCGUIGAN
Challenging role for top Ulster actor
ULSTER actor James Nesbitt is set to star in a controversial new film about the Omagh bombing.
Nesbitt will team up with the same production team that made the controversial Bloody Sunday movie released earlier this year, Sunday Life has learned. Writer and director Paul Greengrass is believed to be already working on the script and is keen to work with the Coleraine-born actor again, following the success of Bloody Sunday. The movie will focus on the victims families' fight to have those responsible for the Real IRA bombing convicted. Nesbitt was not available for comment last night.
But close pals of the actor said he was looking forward to the new film despite expecting criticism for the project.
One told Sunday Life: "Jimmy took a bit of stick for his part in Bloody Sunday, but that will never stop him taking on a project like this.
"Making Bloody Sunday changed his life and he can't wait to tackle another major role.
"If anything, criticism makes him more determined, because he realises that he is just an actor and the people he works with on these movies are the ones who have really suffered.
"He was very moved by what happened in Omagh, like everyone in Northern Ireland was, and believes that this will be a very important film to make. "It will be a very challenging role to take on, and a very emotional one, but a great one for any actor to take on, especially one from Northern Ireland." Nesbitt played civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper in Bloody Sunday.
It is understood that the roles for the new movie won't be decided until the script is finished, but it is expected that Nesbitt will play the part of victims campaigner Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden, died in the 1986 atrocity.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/126
Published Date: 31-Mar-02
Related Images
