Irish director Mark Mahon will write, produce, and direct an €80 million biopic of legendary Irish King, Brian Boru.
Funding for the big-budget feature film is due to be finalised in the coming weeks, and the news is undoubtedly a huge boost for the Irish film industry and the Department of Arts, who have been campaigning to showcase Ireland as a popular filming destination for big-budget international productions. This announcement comes only a few days after it was revealed that Universal Pictures' feature film, 'Dracula', will be filmed in Belfast later this year.
The film will be based on the graphic novel, ‘Freedom within the Heart’, which will be launched this week by Minister for the Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan at Dublin Castle. Speaking of the graphic novel, Mahon stated:
“I’m hoping the release of the graphic novel this week will serve as the catalyst that will get people talking about the upcoming film and also interested in the story of Brian Boru”.
A novelisation of the graphic novel will also be released in September of this year.
Mahon also revealed that he and his production team are currently scouting potential filming locations around the country for the story’s epic battles scenes, and that the 100 day shoot will begin in April or May next year. No details as of yet have been announced on the casting of the characters in the film, but Mahon has stated that:
“At the moment we do have a couple of people in mind for the cast and we do plan on using as much Irish talent as possible”.
Mahon, who divides his time between Ireland and LA, first came to prominence in 2007 with his directorial debut, the boxing drama ‘Strength and Honour’, which starred Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones, Patrick Bergin, and Richard Chamberlain. Mahon initially trained as an actor, but at the age of 22, was severely injured in an accident and had to spend several months in hospital recovering. He then transformed his love of acting and his passion for the industry into writing feature films to stay involved in his chosen career. He has since completed five scripts, one novel, and established the production company, Maron Pictures.
