BAFTA Award nominee Stephen Graham (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR’S REVENGE, “Boardwalk Empire”), British Independent Film Award winner Dave Johns (I, DANIEL BLAKE) and Jill Halfpenny (“Humans,” “EastEnders”) are set to star in the comedy WALK LIKE A PANTHER, it was announced on Wednesday by Fox International Productions.
Principal photography on the feature film is currently underway in Yorkshire, England, with emerging British director Dan Cadan making his feature film debut from his own original screenplay.
The ensemble British cast also includes Sue Johnston (“Downton Abbey,” “The Royle Family”), Lindsey Coulson (“EastEnders,” “The Level”), Julian Sands (upcoming CROOKED HOUSE, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO), Jason Flemyng (upcoming MYSTERY OF THE IRON MASK: JOURNEY TO CHINA, SNATCH), Stephen Tompkinson (“Wild at Heart”, “DCI Banks”), Michael Socha (“This is England ’90,” “Once Upon a Time”) and hip hop artist/poet Scroobius Pip (KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD, “Taboo”).
WALK LIKE A PANTHER is a big-hearted British comedy revolving around a group of ’80s wrestlers who are forced to don the lycra one last time when their beloved local pub is threatened by closure. Led by father-son duo, Mark (Graham) and Trevor Bolton (Johns), this unlikely bunch of underdog heroes set out to save their community, rekindling old friendships and family ties along the way.
Director Dan Cadan said: “Directing my first feature at Fox is quite the honour. This is a timely, relevant story with a big nostalgic heart; that never loses sight of the modern world. The incredible cast, supported by our outstanding crew, are bringing to life a memorable posse of heroic, lycra-clad, underdogs. This is not a film about wrestling as a sport; it’s more a film about wrestling with life – which we all do, one day at a time. It’s a comedic exploration into the importance of community, family and true, enduring friendships.”
Producer Dean O’Toole added, “It’s been fantastic to kick off the shoot. The support both Dan and I have received from Tomas Jegeus and everyone at Fox has been incredible.”
The exceptional below-the-line crew includes Guy Chambers, Robbie Williams’ song-writing partner, to work on the soundtrack, cinematographer Niels Reedtz Johansen (CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, THE HURT LOCKER), production designer Russell De Rozario (KICK-ASS, KICK-ASS 2), editor Mike Ellis (BRASSED OFF, SUPERMAN) and seven-time Emmy Award nominee hair and make-up designer Kevin Alexander (“Game of Thrones,” THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN).
 and Jill Halfpenny (){kind=link}