Cork native Éanna Hardwicke is set to play soccer legend Roy Keane in a new film about the events leading up to the Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup campaign.
The BAFTA-nominated actor will be joined by Steve Coogan as former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.
‘Saipan’, which portrays the infamous public quarrel between the team’s captain and manager, will go into production this summer.
Producers Macdara Kelleher and John Keville said: “A million words have been written about what happened on that fateful week in 2002 on the tiny island of Saipan.
“Next year audiences will finally get to experience first-hand the feud between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy and why it was labelled the worst preparation for a World Cup campaign ever.”
Saipan will be made in association with Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, with a shoot set for Ireland and Saipan later this summer.
Greg Martin is Executive Producer for Screen Ireland, with Ursula Devine Executive Producer for Northern Ireland Screen.
Award Winning filmmakers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn set to direct from an original script by Paul Fraser.
‘Saipan’ will be made in association with Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, with a shoot set for Ireland and Saipan later this summer. Greg Martin is Executive Producer for Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, with Ursula Devine Executive Producer for Northern Ireland Screen.
Wildcard and Vertigo Releasing have acquired UK and Ireland rights on the film and are scheduling a saturation theatrical release for Summer 2025.
