Actor Dougray Scott has partnered in Hero Films, the UK production company of producer Anne Batz and director Mike Barker, with whom Scott recently helped save the troubled production of To Kill A King.

The company's first production will be The Bum's Rush, a $2.8 million black comedy set in the Highlands by debut writer-director Stewart Svaasand. Scott will have a cameo in the film.

"This film was a great impetus for me to form a company," Scott said. "I've always wanted to be in a company and be involved in projects that are indigenous to Scotland as a way of telling my own stories."

Barker is attached to direct 1920s London thriller China Girls for BBC Films and Hero. Also on the slate is Vultures, a quirky love story set in Spain to be directed by Clare Kilner.

The London-based company, which is opening a Glasgow office, will develop material for Scott as an actor but he will also be involved as a producer. He and Barker will continue to work on films outside the company.

Barker and Scott took emergency deferrals on To Kill A King when financing collapsed mid shoot. The $20m period drama was then set up again at HanWay.