May 20, 2002
The Hollywood Reporter
Scott a Hero in 'Hurricane'
by Stewart Kemp

CANNES -- Scottish actor Dougray Scott ("Mission Impossible 2") has become a partner in British independent production and development company Hero Films, the company said Monday.

Scott, in Cannes to detail his role in the company, also said he is attached to star alongside Laura Linney and Steve Buscemi in a U.S.-based project titled "Hurricane Season," to be directed by Suzanna Styron.

He also is attached to star in "Map of Love," a biopic of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Written by Chris Monger (writer-director on "The Man Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain"), the project is set up at Mick Jagger's Jagged Films.

"It's good for Hero if I am involved in other films," Scott said.

Through the deal, Hero Films will develop material for Scott, but he will take executive and producer credits on some projects.

Scott said he is keen to spend time working in Scotland and to develop projects based there with new Scottish talent but stressed that "not all projects will be set in Scotland."

The company, headed by director Mike Barker and producer Anne Batz, closely worked with Scott on the development of "To Kill a King" (formerly "Cromwell and Fairfax"), in which he co-stars and Barker directs.

The trio is kicking off the newly expanded company's production plans with the £2.8 million ($4 million)-budgeted movie "The Bum's Rush."

The movie is billed as a black comedy set in the Highlands and will mark the directorial debut for writer-director Stewart Svaasand. The movie is a co-production with Oslo-based production company Motly ("Misery Harbor"). Svaasand's debut is supported by the Norwegian Film Fund, the Glasgow Film Fund and Scottish Screen.

Batz will produce with Motly's partner Orjan Karlsen. The cast includes Denis Lawson ("Local Hero"), Neve McIntosh ("Gypsy Woman"), Kevin McKidd ("Trainspotting") and Bill Paterson ("Crush"). Scott will take an executive producer credit on the movie and has a cameo role.

The company has commissioned a second feature by Svaasand, "Curious Moments," for Scott to star in. It details the story of a soulless, narcoleptic journalist (Scott) trying to find a legendary but reclusive writer.

Hero also is developing several projects with Barker attached to direct, including an adaptation of novelist Gerard Seymour's best seller "Killing Ground." Barker also is developing and is attached to direct "China Girls" with BBC Films, the stand-alone film unit of British pubcaster BBC.

Before "To Kill a King," Scott recently completed "Ripley's Game" for Fine Line, directed by Liliana Cavani and co-starring John Malkovich.

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