The future of The Flying Scotsman was placed in jeopardy yesterday (October 31) with the news that the£3.3 million production has lost one of its main investors.
The sudden death of one of the partners in Americana Films has resulted in the withdrawal of their 27% share of the budget. Principal photography was due to commence on location in Ayrshire on November 11 and has now been put back a week to allow Bronco Films Peter Broughan a desperate chance to seek replacement finance.
A labour of love for Broughan over the past five years, the film tells the story of Graeme Obree, the Scottish cyclist who broke world records in a handmade bicycle.
Jonny Lee Miller has been in training to play Obree whilst Bob Hoskins and Kathleen McDermitt are also set for key roles. Ironically, Helkon SK are understood to have recently purchased the UK rights to the project and committed a significant p&a spend to its release.
Speaking from the film's production offices in Glasgow, Broughan claimed to still be hopeful of salvaging the film but admitted that time was of the essence as cast members have commitments to other projects that limit their availability.
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