FULL CAST LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR EALING STUDIOS' "BURKE & HARE" WITH JOHN LANDIS AT THE HELM
Landis returns to the UK for start of principal photography on new comedy starring Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fisher, Jessica Hynes and Tom Wilkinson.
London, 4th February 2010: An award-winning international cast has joined "BURKE & HARE", the new film from legendary director JOHN LANDIS (An American Werewolf in London, Blues Brothers, Michael Jackson's Thriller). Principal photography commenced on 31st January around London, Edinburgh and Ealing Studios with SIMON PEGG (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Star Trek, Spaced), as William Burke and recent BAFTA-nominee ANDY SERKIS (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Lord of the Rings, King Kong) as William Hare, the notorious Edinburgh murderers.
ISLA FISHER (Wedding Crashers, Confessions of a Shopaholic) takes on the role of Ginny, an ambitious young actress and the object of Burke's affections and JESSICA HYNES ne้ Stevenson (Spaced, Son of Rambow, Shaun of the Dead) as Hare's long suffering wife Lucky. The supporting cast consists of the cream of British acting and comedy talent including: Oscar-nominee TOM WILKINSON (The Full Monty, Michael Clayton), TIM CURRY (Rocky Horror Picture Show), RONNIE CORBETT (Extras), REECE SHEARSMITH (League of Gentlemen), DAVID SCHOFIELD (Pirates of the Caribbean), ALLAN CORDUNER (Topsy Turvey), BAFTA Award-winner BILL BAILEY (Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang, Black Books), HUGH BONNEVILLE (Notting Hill), MICHAEL SMILEY (Spaced) and SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE (Lord of the Rings).
According to Landis: "BURKE & HARE is a very black romantic comedy in the classic tradition of the Ealing Studios' Kind Hearts and Coronets and The Ladykillers".
"BURKE & HARE" is a comedic take on the true story of the 1828 Edinburgh body-snatchers William Burke (Simon Pegg) and William Hare (Andy Serkis). These two Irish entrepreneurs discover that a dead body can fetch a hefty price when the demands of the leading medical professors Dr. Knox (Tom Wilkinson) and Dr. Monroe (Tim Curry) reach beyond that of the local supply.
"BURKE & HARE" is produced by Barnaby Thompson (Dorian Gray, St Trinian's 1+2), executive produced by Nigel Green, James Spring, Paul Brett, Tim Smith and is written by Piers Ashworth and Nick Moorcroft (St Trinian's 1+2). Director of Photography is Oscar Nominee John Mathieson (Gladiator), production designer is Simon Elliott (Bleak House), costume designer is Oscar Nominee Deborah Nadoolman (An American Werewolf in London, Trading Places, Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Hair & Make Up design is by Oscar Winner Christine Blundell (Sherlock Holmes, Topsy Turvy).
Entertainment Film Distributors has taken the UK rights to Ealing Studios' latest production. Ealing Studios International are handling worldwide sales.
An Entertainment Film Distributors and Ealing Studios Presentation of a Fragile Film in association with Aegis Film Fund and Prescience.