Post by leeside on Sept 13, 2010 14:06:47 GMT
IRELAND'S greatest mythological warrior Cu Chulainn is to be the star of a new international film.
'Hound', which is to resemble epic productions such as 'Lord of the Rings', will use computer-generated imagery and special effects to tell the ancient saga.
But Cu Chulainn is not be portrayed as a friendly superhero but as a brutal killer. The film's tag line is "Born to Kill, Dying to Defend".
The new feature film will be directed by Paul Bolger, who previously worked on 'The Land Before Time', while former Horslips frontman Barry Devlin is writing the script.
The action scenes will capture all of the violence and gore of the original fable, including Cu Chulainn's defence of Ulster against Queen Medb's army and his three-day battle and ultimate murder of Ferdia, his best friend and foster brother.
The movie, which has been granted €29,000 by the Irish Film Board and €48,555 (£40,000) from Northern Ireland Screen, is expected to be ready in 2013.
Talks are already under way with American studios but it is understood filming will take place in Ireland.
Speaking about the film, Paul Bolger said Cu Chulainn was not simply a children's hero because of his brutal, murderous side. He said the bloodthirsty warrior depicted by the Irish poet Thomas Kinsella was closer to the movie version than the bedtime fairytale hero.
Cuchulainn was the Irish Achilles, a larger-than-life fighter whose name translates as the "Hound of Culann".
According to legend, he got his name after he slayed a vicious guard dog, after arriving late at the house of the Ulster smith Culann.
Irish Independent
Hope they don't fuck it up. Its long over due.
