IM Global’s The Journey begins production in Belfast.

The Journey

Shooting has begun on The Journey, a dramatic comedy inspired by a turning point in British and Irish history.

The film focuses on the improbable friendship between two Northern Ireland political titans and implacable enemies, Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney).

The plot of the film centres on a fictional journey Paisley and McGuinness take together that leads them to forge a friendship.

Additional cast includes Toby Stephens (Believe) as Prime Minister Tony Blair, Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as a young government employee tasked to drive Paisley and McGuinness on their journey, and John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St. Andrews Agreement.

Nick Hamm (The Hole, Killing Bono) directs, from a script by County Down-born novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman.

Independent studio IM Global is financing the film through its Acclaim speciality division, in association with Lipsync and Northern Ireland Screen, and will also handle international sales.

Greenroom / Tempo Entertainment, Nick Hamm, Mark Huffam (The Martian), and Piers Tempest (Like Minds) are producing.

Executive producers are IM Global founder and CEO Stuart Ford and president of production Matt Jackson.