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Queen of Scots set for Irish shores IRELAND could be
about to pip Britain in the battle for a new Hollywood blockbuster.
The €20million Mary Queen Of Scots film starring actress Scarlett
Johansson could be the first major movie to be shot in the country since
King Arthur five years ago.
It’s reported the producers are in talks about the film locating
in Ireland.
Birr Castle in Offaly is rum-oured to be one of the potential locations
for the 16th Century drama.
Mary Queen Of Scots was scheduled to start shooting in London and Scotland
before the tempting tax breaks on offer in Ireland caught the eye of makers
Warner Independent Pictures.
Now it’s likely they will move production from Britain to Ireland
to avail of the 10 per cent tax relief.
Mary Queen Of Scots tells the tale of the Catholic ruler who was beheaded
when she was 42 for trying to take the English throne from her Protestant
cousin Elizabeth I.
It is understood Johansson’s mother Melanie will co-produce the
film.
If the move goes ahead it will be a major boost for the ailing Irish film
industry. It has been suffering recently as big budget epics have turned
their backs on the country.
But capturing Mary Queen Of Scots would be a major coup and if the film
proves successful it would also give a lift to the tourist industry.
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