Broadcast News
02/06/2009
Hollywood Star For Belfast's Blockbuster
A leading Hollywood actress is on her way to Belfast to star in the multi-million dollar film.
Natalie Portman is to take a major role in the film, Your Highness, which will be shot in Belfast's Paint Hall, an increasingly popular studio facility in the city's Titanic Quarter.
The film gets underway in July with Universal Pictures funding the comedy, described as a "tale of two spoiled and arrogant princes in a medieval fantasy setting".
James Franco, who starred in Spiderman, will play one of the princes.
Danny McBride, who wrote the script with Ben Best, plays the other prince who is lazy and arrogant.
The two princes must complete a quest to save the kingdom.
Natalie Portman, famous for her roles in Star Wars and the Other Boleyn Girl, will play a warrior princess with whom the lazy prince falls in love.
It is estimated that the film could be worth £10m to the local economy, employing hundreds of cast, crew and extras from Northern Ireland.
Richard Williams, of Northern Ireland Screen, travelled to Hollywood with Stormont's First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, in March to promote Northern Ireland as a film location.
Mr Robinson - a regular holiday-maker in the USA personally - said at the time: "This is a major boost for not only the local economy, but also for Northern Ireland's film industry.
"Northern Ireland has beaten off stiff competition from other regions and film commissions to secure this film and I am certain that the commitment displayed by Universal will lead to further investment by other US film/TV production companies.
"We look forward to seeing Your Highness and know that it will help put Northern Ireland on the map as a major location for the film industry."
Executive Vice President of Universal Pictures and Co-President of Production Jimmy Horowitz commented: "Filming Your Highness in Northern Ireland allows us to capture the extraordinary beauty and topography which resemble the Medieval European backdrop in which this story takes place.
"It also makes good financial sense given Northern Ireland's film incentive program, the favorable exchange rate and a local infrastructure that is well suited for this type of project.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work in Northern Ireland," he said.
See: Film Boost For Northern Ireland
Natalie Portman is to take a major role in the film, Your Highness, which will be shot in Belfast's Paint Hall, an increasingly popular studio facility in the city's Titanic Quarter.
The film gets underway in July with Universal Pictures funding the comedy, described as a "tale of two spoiled and arrogant princes in a medieval fantasy setting".
James Franco, who starred in Spiderman, will play one of the princes.
Danny McBride, who wrote the script with Ben Best, plays the other prince who is lazy and arrogant.
The two princes must complete a quest to save the kingdom.
Natalie Portman, famous for her roles in Star Wars and the Other Boleyn Girl, will play a warrior princess with whom the lazy prince falls in love.
It is estimated that the film could be worth £10m to the local economy, employing hundreds of cast, crew and extras from Northern Ireland.
Richard Williams, of Northern Ireland Screen, travelled to Hollywood with Stormont's First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, in March to promote Northern Ireland as a film location.
Mr Robinson - a regular holiday-maker in the USA personally - said at the time: "This is a major boost for not only the local economy, but also for Northern Ireland's film industry.
"Northern Ireland has beaten off stiff competition from other regions and film commissions to secure this film and I am certain that the commitment displayed by Universal will lead to further investment by other US film/TV production companies.
"We look forward to seeing Your Highness and know that it will help put Northern Ireland on the map as a major location for the film industry."
Executive Vice President of Universal Pictures and Co-President of Production Jimmy Horowitz commented: "Filming Your Highness in Northern Ireland allows us to capture the extraordinary beauty and topography which resemble the Medieval European backdrop in which this story takes place.
"It also makes good financial sense given Northern Ireland's film incentive program, the favorable exchange rate and a local infrastructure that is well suited for this type of project.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work in Northern Ireland," he said.
See: Film Boost For Northern Ireland
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
27/03/2015
Production News : BBC And NI Screen Sign New Partnership
The BBC and Northern Ireland Screen have signed a new partnership agreement to support the television and online industries in Northern Ireland. The p
Production News : BBC And NI Screen Sign New Partnership
The BBC and Northern Ireland Screen have signed a new partnership agreement to support the television and online industries in Northern Ireland. The p
16/04/2009
Universal Agrees Northern Ireland Film Industry Deal
There has been a warm welcome for news that a major multi-million dollar feature film will be made in Northern Ireland this summer. NI Executive First
Universal Agrees Northern Ireland Film Industry Deal
There has been a warm welcome for news that a major multi-million dollar feature film will be made in Northern Ireland this summer. NI Executive First
10/05/2001
IRELAND PROMOTED AT CANNES 2001
THE NORTHERN Ireland Film Commission (NIFC) are at the Cannes Film Festival to promote Northern Ireland as a location for feature film production. Thi
IRELAND PROMOTED AT CANNES 2001
THE NORTHERN Ireland Film Commission (NIFC) are at the Cannes Film Festival to promote Northern Ireland as a location for feature film production. Thi
04/03/2010
HBO Fantasy Epic For Northern Ireland
Fantasy filmmaking is on the way to Belfast. Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Culture and Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland have
HBO Fantasy Epic For Northern Ireland
Fantasy filmmaking is on the way to Belfast. Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Culture and Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland have
16/06/2022
Channel 4 Teams Up With NI Screen
Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen have joined forces to help boost the nation's broadcast sector. An initial two-year partnership will see the org
Channel 4 Teams Up With NI Screen
Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen have joined forces to help boost the nation's broadcast sector. An initial two-year partnership will see the org
28/07/2010
NI Screen Returns £22m To Economy
As cameras start to roll in Belfast on HBO's Game of Thrones, a TV series which is said to be one of the largest ever to shoot in Europe, Northern Ire
NI Screen Returns £22m To Economy
As cameras start to roll in Belfast on HBO's Game of Thrones, a TV series which is said to be one of the largest ever to shoot in Europe, Northern Ire
26/01/2010
Mainland Broadcasters 'Failing NI'
There is broad support today to the damning conclusions of this morning's Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report 'TV Broadcasting in Northern Irela
Mainland Broadcasters 'Failing NI'
There is broad support today to the damning conclusions of this morning's Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report 'TV Broadcasting in Northern Irela
29/05/2007
Northern Ireland Film And Television Commission Announce £12 Million Package
At an event billed as 'Building on Success', The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission announced its new 3-year strategy and revealed the ma
Northern Ireland Film And Television Commission Announce £12 Million Package
At an event billed as 'Building on Success', The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission announced its new 3-year strategy and revealed the ma
02/10/2024
Prestonwood Baptist Church Upgrades With Major Riedel Systems
Riedel Communications has announced that Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, has upgraded from a stand-alone Bolero wireless intercom system
Prestonwood Baptist Church Upgrades With Major Riedel Systems
Riedel Communications has announced that Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, has upgraded from a stand-alone Bolero wireless intercom system
28/02/2002
Branagh accepts role as NIFC Honorary President
Colin Anderson OBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Film Commission, has announced the appointment of Kenneth Branagh as Honorary President of the No
Branagh accepts role as NIFC Honorary President
Colin Anderson OBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Film Commission, has announced the appointment of Kenneth Branagh as Honorary President of the No
29/07/2005
Northern Ireland highlighted as a 'superb' film location
Northern Ireland's Arts Minister David Hanson turned the spotlight on the province as a superb location for the film industry during a visit to the se
Northern Ireland highlighted as a 'superb' film location
Northern Ireland's Arts Minister David Hanson turned the spotlight on the province as a superb location for the film industry during a visit to the se
01/11/2019
Production News : New Development Programme Announced For NI Product Firms
BBC Three is inviting independent production companies based in Northern Ireland to submit format ideas as part of a youth content development scheme
Production News : New Development Programme Announced For NI Product Firms
BBC Three is inviting independent production companies based in Northern Ireland to submit format ideas as part of a youth content development scheme
08/05/2017
Production News : BBC To Film New Drama In Northern Ireland
A new drama series is to be set and filmed in Northern Ireland, it has been revealed. The series – Come Home – is written by BAFTA and International E
Production News : BBC To Film New Drama In Northern Ireland
A new drama series is to be set and filmed in Northern Ireland, it has been revealed. The series – Come Home – is written by BAFTA and International E
30/05/2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed
09/02/2006
YouthAction Northern Ireland and UK Youth launch Film for Youth
World famous film director, Guy Ritchie, in conjunction with youth work charities YouthAction Northern Ireland and UK Youth, is launching a new film-m
YouthAction Northern Ireland and UK Youth launch Film for Youth
World famous film director, Guy Ritchie, in conjunction with youth work charities YouthAction Northern Ireland and UK Youth, is launching a new film-m