We
reported earlier this month that Rupert Grint was in talks to play Olympic ski-jumper
Eddie the Eagle Edwards. The director of the production, Declan Lowney, has now
confirmed that Rupert is indeed involved with the movie, and that he will start filming it after the end of the
Harry Potter series, which ends production in spring 2010.
Quote:
BAFTA-award-winning Irish director Declan Lowney looks set to hit the big time after securing Harry Potter star Rupert Grint to play the lead role in a $15m comedy biopic about British ski jumper Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards, the unlikely hero of the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Quote:
"The film is really about triumph over adversity. Every single obstacle was put in this guy's way and yet he still managed to make it to the Winter Olympics," said Wexford-born Lowney.
"I met Rupert for the first time last week and the deal is done. He's got to film two new Harry Potter movies back to back before we start shooting with him next year."
This will be Rupert's first confirmed project post-
Harry Potter.
We are currently awaiting confirmation from Rupert's publicists about this, so stay tuned.
UPDATE: We've spoken to Rupert's publicists and, according to Rupert's agent, there is no script approved and no deal in place yet.