Sean Bean Talks Enemy of Man

Sean Bean has talked about this project with Vince Regan for many years, I remember interviews with Sean about this not long after he played Macbeth on stage.  It's been about seven or eight years now at least that Sean Bean talked about joining Regan for this film.  At the time it seemed it was going to happen, and then all got quiet about the project again.

Was called something else then, Come Like Shadows I think. 

I remember at the time, Tilda Swinton was going to be Lady Macbeth, or at least Sean talked about her playing the part. 

They went to RADA together, Sean and Tilda.

I'm glad to see this project finally coming together, and hope Kickstarter does kick-start this film. 

Sean Bean News - Macbeth Movie to Start Filming January 2014

Enemy of Man Photo: Sean Bean Online

In interviews during 2006 and 2007 Sean Bean talked about playing Macbeth in a film called at the time "Come Like Shadows".   

Here's part of one of those interviews, Sean talking with Rotten Tomatoes in 2007: 

Rotten Tomatoes: In terms of next steps for you, I understand you're about to play Macbeth...

Sean Bean: This is something that's been talked about for a while now. I think they're still trying to get it together. Friends of mine called Nick Saunders and Vincent Regan - who's an actor who was in Troy with me - they put the thing together.

It's a great script but it's just about getting the financing for it, like anything else. Tilda Swinton wanted to play Lady Macbeth which I was very excited about having worked with her on Caravaggio many years ago. Everything's set up for it but it's still in the producer's hands right now. It's something I'd very much
like to be involved with but it's difficult to get these things off the ground. If you're given a chance you can show just how exciting Shakespeare can be and certainly, in this case, how dark it can be. Trying to convince people to finance a film that's dark, gritty and independent; that's the challenge. It's quite a hard sell. (Thanks to the Compleat Sean Bean)

Sean Bean on stage as Macbeth

But now finally in 2013 we have some positive news about this film, now called "Enemy of Man" (from TheHollywoodReporter.com):

U.K. banner Kaleidoscope Film Distribution has struck a deal for worldwide distribution rights to Enemy of Man, a reworking of Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth, which boasts Harry Potter star Rupert Grint as part of the cast.

"Enemy of Man" Kaleidoscope will begin pre-sales during the Toronto International Film Festival on the title, which is set to begin filming in January of 2014 and stars Sean Bean as the tragic antihero.

Kaleidoscope will also distribute the title in the U.K.
Also starring alongside Bean and Grint is Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Jason Flemyng (X-Men: First Class), James D’Arcy (Cloud Atlas), Neil Maskell (Kill List) and Joe Gilgun (This is England).

Vincent Regan directs this latest version, billed as a retelling of a timeless tale of war, regicide, betrayal and untimely revenge.
"Although 400 years old, Shakespeare’s work feels truly contemporary," Regan said. "An ambitious childless couple; their longing for family replaced by a chilling pursuit of absolute power. Remaining true to its dark heart, we will strip back the dialogue, crank up the action and produce an atmospheric and blood-soaked chiller."


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The mysteries of making films

Blink and You'll Miss Him: Richard Armitage in Shakespeare Uncovered (Macbeth)

Was watching Shakespeare Uncovered last night on PBS, the Macbeth episode with host Ethan Hawke, when to my surprise I spot Richard Armitage

Watch about 35 minutes in, Macbeth RSC production 2001, the dinner scene. Several men around a table. He's wearing a uniform and has a beard. At end he exits with other actors. No lines, but you can clearly see him several times. (Wait a bit for video to load)

Watch Macbeth with Ethan Hawke on PBS. See more from Shakespeare Uncovered.

Go to PBS Videos to see more: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/video/

 Photo thanks to Richard Armitage Central