First-Look Photo From Saipan Film Released

A first-look photo from the film Saipan, based on the events leading to the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup campaign in 2002, has been released.

Following a much publicised row between manager Mick McCarthy, and captain Roy Keane, the latter was dramatically sent home from the squad ahead of the tournament, an incident which divided the nation as to who was to blame, Mick or Roy.

Saipan will see two time Academy nominee Steve Coogan portraying Mick McCarthy, with Éanna Hardwick playing Roy Keane. The supporting cast will include Alex Murphy, Jamie Beamish, Alice Lowe, Peter McDonald and Harriett Cairns.

The film has been directed by award winning filmmakers Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa. It is also based on the original script from Paul Fraser.

Saipan has also been produced by Macadara Kelleher, and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures, along with Oliver Butler and Trevor Birney, while Patrick O’Neill and Rachael O’Kane will serve as executive producers.

Check out the first-look photo for Saipan below.

Saipan:

Filming for Saipan had already started in August, as confirmed by producer Trevor Birney.

He called the script “fantastic”, while also adding: “Ultimately it’s a universal story about two men who wanted the same thing but just really couldn’t agree on how to go about it”. 

Birney also called Hardwicke playing the role of Keane is “stunning”, while revealing that Coogan as Mick McCarthy would be “mind-blowing”. 

More on this from Nova here.