Putting Out Films

Danny Boyle, the British director behind 28 Days Later and Trainspotting, has had his latest project scotched by a group of US and Canadian firefighters. 3000 Degrees, which was due to start filming next month with Ed Harris and Woody Harrelson, was based on a tragic 1999 fire in a warehouse which killed 6 firefighters in Worcester, Massachusetts. The fire was started by a couple who knocked over a candle in the abandoned warehouse in which they were living, then ran away leaving the fire to blaze out of control. Firefighters searched the building for the homeless people they thought were living there, and several of their number were killed in the search. The head of the Worcester Firefighters Local 1009 union said that the concern of protestors against the film was for the families, who would have to relive a tragedy which was still fresh. "This fire had to be put out. I asked my brothers not to co-operate," he said."It was David versus Goliath. We all stuck together and did what we thought was right for the firefighters and their children. I applaud Warner Bros for killing the project." Warner Bros has announced that they will not proceed with the project "at this time", but Boyle fans can take comfort from the fact that he has recently finished shooting Millions with James Nesbitt and Daisy Donovan.