Plans are underway to turn the story of Celtic into a Hollywood movie with Daniel Day-Lewis in line for the lead role as Brother Walfrid.
According to a report in the Sun scripts have already been written with the project believed to involve Peter Mullan and Rob Roy Films director Peter Broughan.
In 1967 The Celtic Story was commissioned by Robert Kelly and charted the incredible story of a club formed to feed the poor of Glasgow’s east end emerging as champions of Europe in the heat of Lisbon.
To celebrate Celtic’s centenary Wildcat Theatre put on a month long sell out stage show at the Pavillion Theatre with a number of plays following covering events such as the 1967 European Cup final in Lisbon and the UEFA Cup Final in Seville.
The romance of the story of Celtic has obvious Hollywood appeal charting the story of a club formed by Brother Walfrid after arriving in Glasgow from Sligo.
Charting the off field highs and lows involving figures such as Jimmy McGrory, John Thomson, Jock Stein, Fergus McCann, Henrik Larsson and Neil Lennon provides plenty of material for a script writer with a story of success through hardship ready to be delivered to a worldwide audience.
According to The Sun a Celtic source said:“Most Scottish football fans know Celtic’s story. It is straight from a Hollywood script and would make a cracking film.
“Given the club’s massive following all over the world it certainly would be a draw at the box office.
“Celtic would be heavily involved and give our support to the project, but it’s very early days at the moment.”
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Just a point of clarification. The Celtic Story, the book commissioned by Robert Kelly and written by Dr James E Handley (Brother Clare), was published in 1960. I think he commissioned it in advance of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Club. I don’t think it was ever updated although I will stand corrected.
Hail Hail the Celts are here…..
Sevco are having a film made as well,this is to be kept to a half hour long film,because there isn’t much history to talk about,them being only a few months old….pmsl
I want to be an extra in the crowd !!!
What a story – Celtic Football Club, born out of the need to feed Glasgow’s influx of poor imigrants fleeing the Great Famine in Ireland. A club which became undisputed champions of European football, and which was and always will be, open to all irrespective of gender, age, religion, race or ability. 125 years of unbroken history all due to Brother Walfrid’s vision to help those in need – a story that MUST be told to the world. Hail, hail.
A romantic story told of how our wonderful club rose from its chartitbe humble origins to inspire a culture and achieve greatness meaning so much to so many and putting two arns around the world befriending all cultures and creeds. Unequalled. However I doubt one film will be enough…. HH
‘To celebrate Celtic’s centenary Wildcat Theatre put on a month long sell out stage show at the Pavillion Theatre with a number of plays following covering events such as the 1967 European Cup final in Lisbon and the UEFA Cup Final in Seville.’
Celtics’ Centenary year was back in ’88. Which Seville final were they covering back then Joe?
They weren’t covering any Seville final back then. If you care to read it says ‘with a number of plays following covering such events as’ hope that clears it up for you.
If you know the history.
Robert Austin Thomson, aka “Bertie of Celtic” was my great grandfather, he was the father of my nanna Roberta Thomson. . Unfortunatly Robert died age 30 in 1937, not before being capped and playing for the cup in the USA. So To see a movie about one of the greatest teams ever to grace the pitch would make me feel extremely proud indeed, hope it gets done….and if they are looking for extras they’ d do well to look to ex players families who would be dedicated to play the roles with pride!!