Greta Scacchi, Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox and Phyllida Law will head up the cast of the film adaptation of Sally Nicholl’s novel Ways To Live Forever, which starts shooting in the North East region of the UK today ( November 2).

Ways To Live Forever tells the story of a boy with leukaemia who wants to live out all of his dreams before he dies. It is being directed by Gustavo Ron.

The £2m film is being co-produced by Life & Soul Productions, and El Capitan Pictures. It has also received £150,000 in support from Northern Film and Media’s North East Content fund.

The project also has the backing of Newcastle-based Coastal Productions, who made TV dramas Wire in the Blood and Place of Execution.

British actor Robson Green, who set up Coastal Productions 12 years ago with Sandra Jobling, said:  “From its humble beginnings 12 years ago, Coastal is now proudly embarking on its first film. We’re so excited to bring a feature to the North East.”