Hollywood Star Bill Murray Signs Up For 'City Of Ember'

Oscar nominated actor Bill Murray (Lost in Translation, Broken Flowers) has signed to star in the forthcoming feature 'City Of Ember' alongside Toby Jones (Amazing Grace, Inferno) and Saoirse Ronan (Atonement).
The Walden Media and Playtone Productions film, which was brought to Northern Ireland by Northern Ireland Screen, and which has received funding from the commission, is currently in pre-production in the Paint Hall, Titantic Quarter in Belfast.
A children’s fantasy sci-fi adventure from the book by American writer Jeanne DuPrau, the film is set in a future when the earth's citizens have moved underground to escape the planet's toxic atmosphere. The story centres around two teenagers Lina and Doon who are destined to be the unforeseen heroes of Ember as they dare to venture into the forbidden 'Unknown Regions' to try and save their city.
Bill Murray will play the larger than life mayor of Ember with Jones picking up the part of the Mayor’s right hand man. Relative newcomer Saoirse Ronan (from County Carlow) will play one of the teenagers, Lina Mayfleet.
The screenplay is by Caroline Thompson (Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands) and Monster House director Gil Kenan will helm the $50million project that is scheduled to shoot in Belfast over a 16 week period this summer. The film is set for release on October 10, 2008, by 20th Century Fox through the joint marketing venture Fox Walden.
Playtone's Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks are producing and John D Schofield will serve as executive producer. Walden Media’s head of production Alex Schwartz and creative executive Bonnie Solomon are overseeing the project for the company.
(DS)