Latest news with #Chork
Metro
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
This Is England director announces first film in 17 years
Shane Meadows, the mastermind behind indie drama This Is England, is set to release his first movie in almost two decades. The filmmaker is most famous for his work on independent projects, which include the cult film This Is England (2006) and its three sequels. The original starred Stephen Graham, Vicky McClure, and Thomas Turgoose, telling the story of a rebellious young boy who joins a group of skinheads. Meadows, 52, hasn't released a film in 17 years but is making a comeback to the silver screen in 2026, it has now been announced. The film in question is titled Chork, described by the man himself as a 'runaway road trip' movie. As if Meadows' touch wasn't enough, the film has also been co-written by his long-time collaborator Jack Thorne, with whom he created the This Is England flicks. Most recently, Thorne co-wrote three-part Netflix series Adolescence, which starred Graham, Erin Doherty, and rising star Owen Cooper, going on to break streaming records. Produced by 42 and Unified alongside Meadows' and Thorne's own production companies and funded partly by BBC Film, Chork will be released into cinemas in the UK and Ireland next year, but an exact date is yet to be confirmed. In conversation with Variety, Meadows said: 'To be returning to film after 17 years, writing alongside 'megadude' Jack Thorne again, and working with so many gifted collaborators has been an absolute privilege.' He added of the project: 'Our story follows two beyond bright, funny as heck, and mischievously ingenious young people on a 'runaway' road trip the length of this glorious isle. 'Safe to say, I'm beyond excited about what we've captured on their journey. 'I'm also hugely grateful to our partners at BBC Film, BFI, Screen Yorkshire, Hoopsa Films and Altitude for their undying trust and support throughout.' Chork was shot along the East coast from Kent through Lincolnshire and up to Scotland, with its plot set in the same location. Characters include 15-year-old Kit and 11-year-old Ani on a trek across the coastline, hoping for big things after leaving their foster home. However, with police on the lookout and a national search implemented, it's anything but a blissful holiday. As such, older child Kit must do what she can to protect Ani and achieve their end goal. Eva Yates, director of BBC Film, said: 'The films of Shane Meadows are at the heart of contemporary British independent cinema, and we are hugely excited to support his return, with a cast of exceptional new actors, his brilliant writing collaborator Jack Thorne, and an anarchic story of love, redemption, and the untapped and profound potential of youth.' Meanwhile, giving fans a taste of what to expect, Louise Ortega, senior production and development executive at the BFI, described Chork as a 'typically funny, urgent, and heartfelt state of the nation piece'. She also praised Meadows, Thorne, and their 'skilled crew of collaborators' for 'weaving [in] irreverent magic which asks timely questions'. More Trending 'We can't wait for their film to be out in the world, inspiring a new generation.' As well as This Is England, Meadows' other films include Small Time (1996), Twenty Four Seven (1997), A Room for Romeo Brass (1999), and Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002). He's also responsible for Dead Man's Shoes (2004), Somers Town (2006), Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee (2009), and the latest The Stone Roses: Made of Stone (2013). Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Justin Timberlake fans gutted after Isle of Wight performance 'not allowed' on TV MORE: The 90s and 2000s were the best time for video game creativity – Reader's Feature MORE: Bruce Springsteen gives his opinion on Stephen Graham's portrayal of his father in new biopic
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shane Meadows Teams Up With ‘Adolescence' Writer Jack Thorne for Feature Film Return
After more than a decade-long hiatus from the big screen, Shane Meadows is making a return to cinema with a new film, Chork. Penned by Adolescence writer Jack Thorne and set along the east coast of England, Chork follows 15-year-old Kit and 11-year-old Ani as they leave their foster home and trek across the coastline in hopes of a brighter future. With the police in pursuit and a national search underway, Kit must use all her determination and wits to protect Ani and fulfil their mission. More from The Hollywood Reporter UTA Appoints Darnell Strom to Lead London Office With Eye on Growth Into "Major International Hub" Global Media Warns of Escalation as U.S. Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites NATPE Budapest: BBC Studios, AMC Networks Int'l Buy Cineflix Rights Lifestyle, Travel Content Cast by Meadows' frequent collaborator, Shaheen Baig (Adolescence, Hot Milk), the two have secured the film's lead cast with open casting calls taking place earlier in the year throughout the U.K. 'To be returning to film after 17 years, writing alongside 'megadude' Jack Thorne again, and working with so many gifted collaborators, has been an absolute privilege,' said Meadows. 'Our story follows two beyond bright, funny as heck and mischievously ingenious young people on a 'runaway' road trip the length of this glorious isle.' 'Safe to say,' he continued, 'I'm beyond excited about what we've captured on their journey. I'm also hugely grateful to our partners at BBC Film, BFI, Screen Yorkshire, Hoopsa Films and Altitude for their undying trust and support throughout.' Meadows gained critical acclaim with features TwentyFourSeven, Dead Man's Shoes, A Room for Romeo Brass and Somers Town. His television credits include This Is England, which premiered in Toronto in 2006, The Virtues starring Stephen Graham and The Gallows Pole. Chork is produced by Ben Pugh and Cathy King for 42, Lauren Dark and Amy Jackson for Unified, Meadows' Big Arty and Thorne's One Shoe Films, both of whom will also executive produce. The film is financed by BBC Film, BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Screen Yorkshire (via the Yorkshire Content Fund) and Hoopsa Films. Executive producers are Eva Yates and Kristin Irving for BBC Film, Louise Ortega for the BFI, Caroline Cooper Charles for Screen Yorkshire, Sonny Gill and Tim Macready for Hoopsa Films, and Ali Jazayeri and Keith Kehoe for Three Picture Capital alongside Laura Jackson and Joshua Horsfield. The film was developed with BBC Film. Altitude will release Chork in U.K. and Irish cinemas in 2026 and will manage international sales. Yates, director of BBC Film, added: 'The films of Shane Meadows are at the heart of contemporary British independent cinema and we are hugely excited to support his return, with a cast of exceptional new actors, his brilliant writing collaborator Jack Thorne, and an anarchic story of love, redemption and the untapped and profound potential of youth.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT
