Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Ehle, Guy Pearce, Derek Jacobi and Michael Gambon have joined the cast of Tom Hooper’s historical drama The King’s Speech, which started shooting today (November 13).

Based on the screenplay by David Seidler, the film is about the unorthodox relationship between England’s King George VI, to be played by Colin Firth, and his Australian speech therapist – Geoffrey Rush - who helped him to overcome his stammer. Firth and Rush had already been announced.

See-Saw Film’s Iain Canning and Emile Sherman and Bedlam Productions’ Gareth Unwin are producing.

The Kings Speech will shoot for seven weeks, taking in UK locations such as Lancaster House, the Bradford Bulls Stadium, Ely Cathedral, Harley Street and Battersea Power Station.

The Weinstein Company and FilmNation are handling international sales and The Weinstien Company has picked up the US rights to the project as well as licensing rights in Germany, France, China, Hong Kong, Latin America, Benelux and Scandinavia. Momentum has  picked up UK rights, whilst Transmission Films will distribute in Australia and New Zealand.

The project is also being supported by the UK Film Council, Aegis Film Fund, and Molinare London.

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