Kristin Scott Thomas Commits To Lennon Pic

Academy Award-nominated actress Kristin Scott Thomas has joined Ecosse Films', 'Nowhere Boy', HanWay Films has announced.
Scott-Thomas has been cast as Lennon's Aunt Mimi, whilst in other major casting Anne-Mari Duff will play his mother Julia.
Hot newcomer Aaron Johnson will play the young Lennon. 'Nowhere Boy', the debut feature of Sam Taylor-Wood, tells the never seen before story of John Lennon's childhood.
Academy Award-nominated for her work in 'The English Patient', Scott Thomas' recent work in Anne Fontaine's critical and commercial success 'I've Loved You So Long' won her the 2008 European Film Award as Best Actress and a Golden Globe nomination.
Anne-Marie Duff is best known for her television work, including 'Elizabeth 1' and the popular series 'Shameless' and her film credits include John Crowley's upcoming 'Is There Anybody There?', Peter Mullan's 'The Magdalene Sisters' and Roger Goldby's 'The Waiting Room'.
Aaron just wrapped as the central lead in Matthew Vaughn's 'Kick Ass', alongside Nicolas Cage. Prior to that, he shot a major supporting role in 'The Greatest' with Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan, which premieres in Sundance, and played the romantic lead in Gurinder Chadha's 'Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging'.
HanWay Films are handling worldwide sales and have pre-sold multiple territories prior to casting including acquisitions by Icon for the UK and Australia and Mars Distribution for France who will release the film in 2010. Principal photography will start this March on location in Liverpool and at Ealing Studios.
'Nowhere Boy' is an Ecosse Films production in association with Film4, the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund, NorthWest Vision and media, Lip Sync Productions and Aver Media. The script was developed with the support of the UK Film Council's Development Fund.
Imagine John Lennon's childhood... A spirited teenager, curious, sharp and funny, growing up in the shattered city of Liverpool. Two extraordinary sisters tussle for his love - Mimi, the formidable aunt who raised him from the age of 5 and Julia, the spirited mother who gave him up to Mimi's care.
Yearning for a normal family, John escapes into art and the new music flooding in from the US. His fledgling genius finds a kindred spirit in the young Paul McCartney. But just as John's new life begins, the truth about his past leads to a tragedy he would never escape.
Director Sam Taylor-Wood was nominated for a Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival for her Film4 debut short Love You More, produced by her mentor Anthony Minghella. Her work as an artist and photographer is in many of the world's most prestigious galleries. The screenplay was written by Matt Greenhalgh, winner of the BAFTA Carl Foreman Award in 2007 for 'Control'. The film will be produced by Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae for Ecoss Films ('Brideshead Revisited', 'The Waterhorse', 'Becoming Jane') and Kevin Loader ('Venus', 'The Mother').
(KMcA)(BMcC)