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The shooting of a big-budget US film will showcase Northern Ireland\u2019s dramatic north coast on a global stage, a local representative said.<\/p>\nThe shooting of a big-budget US film will showcase Northern Ireland\u2019s dramatic north coast on a global stage, a local representative said.<\/p>\n
Viking-age drama The Northman stars Nicole Kidman.<\/p>\n
It was due to begin filming on County Antrim\u2019s scenic Torr Head earlier this year, but coronavirus halted production.<\/p>\n
Fresh pictures show progress made on the construction of a wooden village set, a short distance from the expansive Atlantic swell, over recent weeks.<\/p>\n
Local councilor Cara McShane said: \u201cIt is a privilege that we live where we do and it is great to see more and more of the media industry using this remote area.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Northman is set in Iceland at the turn of the 10th century and is directed by Robert Eggers.<\/p>\n
Claes Bang, the Dracula star, previously said it is confusing and depressing not knowing when production on film and television will be able to resume amid the coronavirus crisis.<\/p>\n
The Danish actor was in Northern Ireland preparing to shoot The Northman, which also features Alexander Skarsgard and Willem Dafoe, before production was shut down and lock down was introduced.<\/p>\n
Industry development body Northern Ireland Screen has said there were millions of US dollars in the production budget and hundreds of crew.<\/p>\n
Ms McShane represents the Torr Head area on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, and said the community was proud of the natural beauty on its doorstep.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cIt is testament to the strong background that this area provides.\u201d<\/p>\n
She noted that local people had a great love of the landscape and displayed generosity of spirit in allowing its use for filming.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIt is also an opportunity to showcase this area on a global stage and we have seen the benefits on offer of screen tourism, where people come to the locations where films are produced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a positive spin-off economically for the area attracting more and more people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dozens of productions were suspended due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n
They also included the hit BBC series Line Of Duty.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland\u2019s creative industry has been building on the phenomenal success of fantasy drama series Game Of Thrones, which was partly filmed there between 2011 and 2019.<\/p>\n