Brad & Ralph head North

Islington luvvies are barricading themselves in following news that Brad Pitt is heading their way. The Hollywood star is due to begin filming his latest flick Diamonds in the Gainsborough Studios in North London in three weeks time. Directed by Guy 'Lock Stock' Ritchie Diamonds is about a jewel heist in London's Hatton Garden. Starring alongside Brad are Lock, Stock... alumni Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones - with Vinnie playing a pair of identical twins. Following hot on the heels of Fight Club, Pitt will stay in sparring spirit and play a boxer. News of the Diamonds production is the latest shot in the arm for the Gainsborough Studios. After years in the doldrums and with development planned for next year, the studios also announced that Ralph Fiennes would appear in an Almeida Theatre double production of Shakespeare between April and July 2000. 'It's a great opportunity for a great actor to play two sides of the Shakespearean personality,' said Ian McDiarmid, Co-director of the Almeida - aka Star Wars' General Palpatine. '... and I know he's relishing the prospect.'