Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Jack O'Connell Eyed For Robert The Bruce Biopic

Director David Mackenzie wants to reunite with his "Starred Up" star Jack O'Connell for a gritty film about medieval Scottish king Robert the Bruce.


Robert the Bruce ruled from 1306 until he died in 1329. Prior to that, Bruce was the Guardian of Scotland alongside his rival, John Comyn. Both were vying for the throne and ultimately, Bruce killed Comyn. Shortly after that, Bruce got his wish and went on to lead Scotland against England in the First Scottish War of Independence.

Mackenzie tells Collider: "I’m trying to get Jack involved in that.  And I can’t say that’s official, but Jack and I have been in discussion on that.  But not as the Robert the Bruce character, as a secondary character, but a very, very sort of close second."

;Starred Up focuses on 19-year-old Eric (O’Connell), arrogant and ultra-violent, who is prematurely transferred to the same adult prison facility as his estranged father (Ben Mendelsohn).

As his explosive temper quickly finds him enemies in both prison authorities and fellow inmates — and his already volatile relationship with his father is pushed past breaking point — Eric is approached by a volunteer psychotherapist, who runs an anger management group for prisoners. Torn between gang politics, prison corruption, and a glimmer of something better, Eric finds himself in a fight for his own life, unsure if his own father is there to protect him or join in punishing him.

The film just hit iTunes and VOD. It also makes its way into select theaters today.

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