Mystery surrounding secret lead of Hollywood film in West Cork finally solved
The actor's identity was being kept tightly under wraps, with sources telling Extra.ie that only a 'few people' know who has been cast in the role of It's a Wonderful Life star Jimmy Stewart in the biopic.
'I've been told that as little as four people know who the lead is,' they told Extra.ie. 'It's a major production and the lead is really being kept under wraps.' American actor Jimmy Stewart in his Air Force cap and wool overcoat, in front of a military airplane Pic:Well, the mystery has been solved as it has now been announced that the lead actor is New Zealand native KJ Apa who is most well known for his role as Archie in the CW series Riverdale.
The news was confirmed by production company Burns & Co Productions and the biopic currently has the working title Jimmy.
Speaking on the news of his casting being revealed, KJ said: 'I have always been a huge James Stewart fan and feel so honoured I get to bring his story to life. KJ Apa attends the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France Pic: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
'As someone from New Zealand, I've long admired that generation of American men who stood for patriotism, integrity, and a deep sense of duty.
'It is important to me to give back to a country that has given me so much, and what better way to do that than by honouring a man who served it with great honour.'
Joining Apa in Jimmy are Jason Alexander as Louis B Mayer, Max Casella as Frank Capra, Sarah Drew as Hedda Hopper, Julian Works as Second Lieutenant Martinez and Jen Lilley as Gloria Stewart. James 'Jimmy' Stewart with Judy Garland Pic:The film will mainly focus on how the Hollywood star put his career on hold in 1940, going from winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in Philadelphia Story to enlisting and becoming a combat pilot in the US Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II.
He was the first celebrity to enlist, serving in the US army air corps, and famously refused to be confined to support work from home soil, he insisted he serve on the front line. Jimmy Casting Call Pic: West Cork Film Studios
He finished the war with the rank of colonel, and even remained as part of the Air Force reserves after 1945, retiring with the rank of brigadier-general.
Filming on Jimmy is set to kick off on September 1 in West Cork so keep an eye out if you're in the area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
22 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Patrick Kielty 'considering major move' to 'regroup' after separation
Patrick Kielty is understood to be eyeing up a move back to Northern Ireland to 'regroup' after the breakdown of his marriage, has been told. Late Late Show host Kieltys' potential move back to his hometown of Co Down comes after it was announced his marriage to UK television host Cat Deeley had ended after 12 years. It also comes ahead of this year's season of the Late Late Show, with sources telling that 'planning' for this season is already underway, in efforts to boost the previous year's ratings. Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley. Pic:An insider told us: 'Pat is a bit all over the place at the moment, as anyone naturally would be. 'He recently lost his mother, now his marriage to Cat has ended, and the Late Late Show hasn't exactly been the ratings winner that he would have hoped.' 'So there is talk that he is strongly contemplating coming back to Ireland, at least for a while.' Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley. Pic: FOX/FOX Image Collection via Getty Images They added: 'He has to be here for three or four days a week with the Late Late and his radio show, so it makes sense. And to be honest, London can feel very lonely when you're going through something like he is. 'He still has his old friends up North whom he's very close to, and he also has business connections up there, so there's talk of coming back. Not for good, just for a period.' Should Kielty make a temporary move back to Ireland, it will also allow him to spend more time in RTE, focusing on the upcoming season of The Late Late Show. Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show. Pic: Andres Poveda A station insider told 'Planning is getting underway in the next week or so. They really want to throw everything at it to boost ratings as viewership has dwindled since Tubridy left.' But the source said that there is massive belief and confidence in Kielty's talents and dedication to The Late Late Show. They said: 'The thing about it is, Patrick is a fantastic chat show host. He really is a super host. Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley. Pic: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images 'He just, for one reason or another, hasn't gotten into his stride. The guests haven't been great is one reason, so he's really putting everything into this season to make it a banger.' Furthermore, separate colleagues at Montrose have told that Kielty has their full support in the coming months. They said: 'Nobody, not one person, in here at least, was surprised when it was announced his marriage was over. 'The writing has been on the wall for this around him at least for a long time. But he's gutted. He adores Cat, he still adores her. 'But he's been through tough times before, so if anyone can rise to the occasion, he can.'
Extra.ie
22 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
MrBeast reveals how much is actually in his bank account
The man behind the most followed YouTube account has finally lifted the lid on how much money he actually has. 27-year-old Jimmy Donaldson is better known as his online alias MrBeast with the Kansas native being active on the video-sharing platform since 2012. Earlier this year, MrBeast hit 400m followers on the site, which is the population of Ireland 77 times over. 27-year-old Jimmy Donaldson is better known as his online alias MrBeast with the Kansas native being active on the video-sharing platform since 2012. Pic:for Netflix The American's content ranges from challenges such as his real life recreation of Squid Game, which saw 456 people competing for $456,000, to more charitable causes. Just last week, MrBeast uploaded a video where he helped two million people in Malawi get clean water for the first time ever. The Kansas man has also funded the building of wells across Kenya, Somalia and Cameroon. Taking into consideration the extent of the content he creates online, it has been long speculated that the online star is a billionaire, with the man remaining tight-lipped on his fortune to date. Now, however, MrBeast has bared all as he revealed just how much his bank account currently holds, as he explained he tries to pay himself just what he would spend personally in the month. Fellow internet personality Adin Ross recently asked the YouTuber if he was a billionaire, encouraging him to 'be honest.' 'In my actual bank account, I have less than $1m (€858,000),' MrBeast answered, '[I pay myself] a little bit, but I also have some assistants and things like that, so I try to pay myself what I spend personally, a month, just to stay even.' Fellow internet personality Adin Ross recently asked the YouTuber if he was a billionaire, encouraging him to 'be honest.' Pic: John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images In 2023, MrBeast's global virtual restaurant brand, MrBeast Burger, came to Ireland, with nationwide deliveries available. The first restaurant was launched in 2020, with MrBeast launching dozens of locations across North America and Europe via 'virtual/ ghost kitchens.' This is where brands use kitchens in actual restaurants to deliver the food, exclusively through delivery apps. MrBeast Burger launched its arrival in Ireland with an event in the Hyde in Dublin City Centre, which saw attendance from people such as Terence & Calvin from the Talking Bollox Podcast, Keilidh Cashell, Aideen Kate, Lauren Whelan, Shanice Griffin, Ryan Mar & Shauna Davitt.
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Win a copy of Bad Influence by Rosie Nixon in this week's Fabulous book competition
HILARIOUS ROM-COM Win a copy of Bad Influence by Rosie Nixon in this week's Fabulous book competition WHEN personal stylist Amber is made redundant but then offered the chance to work with influencer-of-the-moment Mandy Sykes, she thinks all her prayers have been answered. Except brash American Mandy's life is even more complicated than her own, and with only three months to prove herself, will Amber be able to get the Likes she needs? 1 10 lucky Fabulous readers will win a copy of this new novel in this week's book competition This fab read is a breath of fun, fresh air. 10 lucky Fabulous readers will win a copy of this new novel in this week's book competition. To win a copy, enter using the form below by 11:59pm on August 23, 2025. For full terms and conditions, click here.
