Those of you who follow your Empire daily news round-ups closely will be aware that this time a week ago, the new St. Trinians movie being put together out at Ealing Studios was in jeopardy, thanks to a change of tax laws in the UK. The good news is that the producers have managed to secure the portion of finance that collapsed, and filming has only been delayed by a week. Even better news today though – they’ve announced pretty much the whole lead cast for the new girls school comedy.
Emily Watson has the key role, playing the teacher in charge of the young ladies (in the originals, this character’s name was Sergeant Ruby Gates, played by Joyce Grenfell). It’s not been made clear yet who Colin Firth play, but he’s definitely in there somewhere, while Rupert Everett takes on the roles he possibly born to play, in the headmistress (yes there will be cross-dressing, ala Alistair Sim in the oldies) and her dastardly brother. After making such a brilliant impression in Venus, the lovely Jodie Whittaker is also onboard, joined by Caterina Murino (last seen in a spot of bother in a hammock in Casino Royale), Tamsin Egerton and Talulah Riley, while Stephen Fry and Richard E. Grant have already been pencilled in for cameos. Russell Brand also has a role. Still, mostly good news.
After the slight monetary hiccup, filming is set to kick off on March 26 to be co-directed by first time megaphone-holder (but long-time producer) Barnaby Thompson and his filmmaking partner Oliver Parker (The Importance Of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband). The story will be an update of the series, not a remake of any particular instalment of the existing films (for completists, this is The Belles Of St. Trinians, Blue Murder At St. Trinians, The Pure Hell Of St, Trinians, The Great St. Trinians Train Robbery, and The Wildcats Of St. Trinians).