Shooting has just started on Nick Hamm's Irish political dramedy The Journey, and with that comes the first still. Have a look at Timothy Spall playing Protestant loyalist firebrand the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, and Colm Meaney as the republican Sinn Féin politician Martin McGuinness.
The film focuses on the time during the Northern Ireland Peace Process when - unthinkable in previous years - the two sworn enemies put their past actions behind them and begin to forge a friendship that allowed them to move forward. The drama takes place over a short trip the pair made together, by the end of which they were both changed - the journey of the title referring to more than just miles. Some wags even began referring to them as The Chuckle Brothers.
Also in the cast are Toby Stephens as Prime Minister Tony Blair; Freddie Highmore as Jack, the young government employee tasked to drive Paisley and McGuinness on their travels; and John Hurt as Harry, an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St. Andrews Agreement.
Hamm was the director of The Hole and **Killing Bono **as well as television like Full Circle and Rogue, and he's working from a screenplay by Colin Bateman (Divorcing Jack, Wild About Harry). The Journey began shooting in Belfast today, and is expected in cinemas sometime next year.