Following an online furore, an explanation has arrived to make clear an upcoming production’s stance on hiring British actors for the role of young Prince William.
One of the producers of the upcoming Princess Diana biopic, Spencer, has spoken out to correct a backlash. It follows reports that – in the wake of Brexit – the project, set to film next year, wouldn’t be considering UK actors for the part of young Prince William. The news broke yesterday, as reported by Deadline, when a casting call was posted stating that ‘British actors need not apply ‘due to new Brexit rules from January 1st, 2021’, sparking an instant outraged response online to the announcement.
Producer Paul Webster has since clarified that the British actors will be considered for the role of the young English prince.
He said that while British actors will be considered, “if they happen to have an Irish passport, all the better.”
Webster did also say that “most of our cast will be British” but conceded that “some of our cast will have to be European to meet certain funding requirements.”
The producer also said that as this is an official co-production with Europe, there are no freedom of movement issues expected when the shoot begins in Germany.
Whilst the statement might assuage some fears that British talent may be overlooked for role following Brexit, this case illustrates how producers in some cases may find European actors preferable for a host of reasons, including funding and freedom of movement. It follows the news we reported on yesterday that the British independent film industry faces a shortfall in funding.
Spencer is set to shoot next year, is set in the 1990s, and features Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, working from a script by Stephen Knight. Pablo Larrain, director of Jackie, will direct.
We’ll bring you more on this topic as we hear it.
Image: BigStock
—
Thank you for visiting! If you’d like to support our attempts to make a non-clickbaity movie website:
Follow Film Stories on Twitter here, and on Facebook here.
Buy our Film Stories and Film Stories Junior print magazines here.
Become a Patron here.
