RTE legend's son could play mobster Gerry ‘The Monk' Hutch on big screen as top director reveals ‘key' development

The Irish Sun

a day ago

REX Ryan could soon be playing The Monk on the big screen.
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Rex Ryan will play The Monk in a new one-man play
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Directors could make moves to develop a film about Gerry Hutch's life
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Gerry Ryan's son could also bag a big screen role after his theatre show
Credit: Chrispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
And director Mark O'Connor revealed he is interested in turning the controversial production into a big screen biopic.
He told The Irish Sun: 'I looked at
'I even had some talks with co-writers of mine about doing it.
"It could be an interesting story that would span decades with periods in the ­70s, 80s and 90s.
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'But what stopped me was you'd have to be in touch with The Monk and we didn't have that contact.'
But the
Mark, who previously made Cardboard Gangsters, said: 'Key to all this would be getting the approval of The Monk to tell his story so this is amazing news. I will be going to see this play.'
And Mark, who gave
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He said: 'I would definitely love to see Rex in the role. I don't know Rex well but I've heard lots of great things.'
Rex previously revealed he exchanged voice notes with The Monk about his play — and the mobster visited his theatre to discuss the script.
Gerry Hutch leaves door open on political future as The Monk declares Dail run 'great campaign' & clashes with RTE star
He told the Sunday Independent: 'I had written that his father was a mechanic.
'He said he was a docker. I got some names wrong and he corrected them.'
CLONTARF CONNECTION
Rex's original connection to The Monk came through Hutch's son Jason who Rex grew up with in Clontarf.
Rex made a video call to Hutch while he was in Wheatfield Prison to tell him he wanted to play him and tell his story on stage.
Rex said: 'What do you think of that?' He said: 'You do whatever you want, Rex. You have my blessing.' I said thank you. And that was that.'
The play is set in the holding cell of the Special Criminal Court five minutes before Hutch is set to receive his verdict.
Rex said: 'I have a beard and long hair and the clock is ticking. What happens next is, Gerry puts his hand on his head and beard and hair come off and the whole space changes.
'It is TV screens everywhere and we're in the mind of The Monk. It is like A Christmas Carol…I have a guardian angel on the stage.
'She is the angel of truth. She takes him to task about his whole life before he goes out to be judged by the Special Criminal Court.'
Film director Mark's new movie Amongst the Wolves stars actor Luke McQuillan as former British army soldier Danny.
Ex-trooper Danny ends up homeless after returning to Dublin and struggles to survive alone until he meets Will, portrayed by young actor Daniel Fee, a teenage drug dealer on the run from a gang leader played by Aidan Gillen.
One US film website hailed the Irish movie 'as beautifully shot and rich in atmosphere' and compared director Mark to This Is England creator Shane Meadows.
The Monk runs at The Glass Mask Theatre on Bestseller Cafe, Dawson Street, Dublin from June 10-21.