Hollywood stars Swank into town

Hollywood stars Swank into town

Unison.ie(Ireland)


Tuesday October 3rd 2006


IF there is one thing Bertie Ahern's youngest daughter does not need right now - it is a loan.

It was a case of 'if you could see me now' for Cecelia Ahern as the cream of Hollywood talent crowded into the country to star in her first film.

Two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank and Misery star Kathy Bates did a 'whip around' the Wicklow mountains during the opening day of 'PS I Love You'. And rumours were rife that newly-divorced Swank's alleged love interest, Hollywood agent John Campisi, was also on the set of the big screen adaptation of Cecelia's first best-selling novel.

In Dublin city centre, shoppers had to double take as Friends star Lisa Kudrow - who had a day off from filming - was spotted bargain-hunting in high street outlets on Grafton Street.

And the country is set for a further A-list invasion over the coming weeks as Scottish actor Gerard Butler and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James Marsters also arrive to appear in the film. Grey's Anatomy star Jeffrey Dean Morgan also has a supporting role.

Yesterday, his co-stars Hilary Swank and Kathy Bates were busy getting set for 10 weeks shooting in locations around Wicklow and Dublin, before moving to New York.

Million Dollar Baby star Hilary, who has taken the lead role of Holly, chose an understated outfit of classic beige trench coat and chic black boots for her first day on set.

Her colleague Kathy Bates, who sported a fringed shawl and highlighted hair, looked more Glenroe extra than Annie Wilkes.

The cameras rolled as the pair filmed the first scene in the movie in a working farm house in the Wicklow mountains.

Gardai closed off the roads near Roundwood as the two actresses arrived at the farm in a Dublin-registered Mercedes taxi for the first takes.

"It really was in the middle of nowhere," said an insider. "Kudrow was not around because she was on a day off, and I think Bates was just flown in for the day. There was a crew of around 40 people and I think they have set up a base camp somewhere around the mountains. We also saw a guy who looked very like John Campisi."

The film centres on widow Holly (Swank) whose life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers 10 letters left by her husband (Butler) to help ease her pain and start a new life.

Friends star Kudrow will play one of Swank's best friends, who is a successful and single press agent in the Big Apple.

Morgan plays an Irish singer who Swank's character Holly falls for while in Dublin.

Alcon Entertainment's big screen adaptation is directed by Richard LaGravenese of The Horse Whisperer, who has previously worked with Swank on the film Freedom Writers.

Anne-Marie Walsh



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