Casting agents are hunting for “rough and ready” types to appear in a new Netflix drama about Robert the Bruce.
The Outlaw King will be directed by Perthshire-born filmmaker David MacKenzie, the first Scot to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
Californian Star Trek actor Chris Pine, who starred in MacKenzie’s acclaimed modern western Hell or High Water, has signed on to play the Scottish King.
Shooting begins at undisclosed locations in Scotland next month. Although the sites are being kept under wraps, MacKenzie has not ruled out filming in Courier Country.
Now a casting call has gone out to find extras to help bring 14th century Scotland to the screen.
Budding actors are being asked to attend auditions in Glasgow later this week.
Agencies Key Casting and We Are POP are on the look-out for “good beards” and have asked men not to trim their hair before they arrive.
Potential extras are advised to wear dark clothing, no white. They must be over 16 and have valid ID, showing they are eligible to work in the UK.
Auditions begin at Kelvinhall, Argyle Street, on Friday, July 14 from 1pm to 9.30pm and from 9am to 4.30pm the following day.
The movie is described as “a true David and Goliath story of how the great 14th Century Scottish ‘Outlaw King’ Robert the Bruce used cunning and bravery to defeat and repel the much larger and better equipped occupying English army.”
It will also star Hell of High Water actor Ben Foster as James Douglas, a trusted ally of Robert the Bruce. William Wallace is also likely to feature.
The Outlaw King was reportedly a long-standing passion project for MacKenzie, who started his career with the film The Last Great Wilderness, which was largely shot on a Dunkeld sheep farm.
The new feature is being produced for Netlix by Glasgow-based Signma Films.
A spokesman said no announcement had been made on shooting locations.
The film has been welcomed by tourism chiefs, who say it could bring in overseas visitors.
Recent US show Outlander, which was shot in Perthshire and Fife, was described as a “goldmine” for Scotland’s tourism industry.
VisitScotland said 40% of people who come to the UK were inspired after seeing locations on film or television.
Film and creative industries manager Jenni Steele said: “We look forward to learning more about this exciting project and hope once again to see Scotland shine on screen.”
