You may not recognise Declan Lowney but chances are he’s made you laugh. As the directing talent behind Father Ted, Little Britain, Moone Boy and Help he called the shots on a generation of TV comedy classics. Back in 2002 he collaborated with Steve Coogan on the neglected gem Cruise of the Gods, a TV movie about a sci-fi convention on a cruise ship. Now the pair have reunited for Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, the first cinematic adventure of Norwich’s second most famous son (after Tim Westwood, depending on the demographic). We spoke to Declan about directing Coogan, the pressures of bringing Partridge to the multiplexes, and why there’ll always be an Alan…
Congratulations on Alpha Papa, the funniest film of 2013. Are you pleased with the reaction it’s getting?
Yeah, it’s very exciting being involved. Everyone seems to like it so far. It’s such a relief!
Congratulations on Alpha Papa, the funniest film of 2013. Are you pleased with the reaction it’s getting?
Yeah, it’s very exciting being involved. Everyone seems to like it so far. It’s such a relief!
- 8/9/2013
- by Kieran Grant
- Obsessed with Film
Interview Simon Brew 7 Aug 2013 - 06:36
We chat to the director of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa and Cruise Of The Gods, Mr Declan Lowney...
Whereas many of the team behind the Alan Partridge movie have worked on shows surrounding the character for years, director Declan Lowney is a newcomer to Partridgeland. A veteran of lots of TV, and the director of the wonderful Cruise Of The Gods, he chatted to us about Alan, Norwich, and a big sinking ship.
Please note: this interview talks loosely about things that happen in the film. We don't think what's here spoils anything, but if you want to see the film 100% cold, it's probably best to come back to this interview afterwards.
Watching The Guard a few years ago, it's got a great end action sequence. Until I saw Alpha Papa, outside of Arctic-based films, that seemed to be the most freezing cold looking action sequence I'd seen.
We chat to the director of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa and Cruise Of The Gods, Mr Declan Lowney...
Whereas many of the team behind the Alan Partridge movie have worked on shows surrounding the character for years, director Declan Lowney is a newcomer to Partridgeland. A veteran of lots of TV, and the director of the wonderful Cruise Of The Gods, he chatted to us about Alan, Norwich, and a big sinking ship.
Please note: this interview talks loosely about things that happen in the film. We don't think what's here spoils anything, but if you want to see the film 100% cold, it's probably best to come back to this interview afterwards.
Watching The Guard a few years ago, it's got a great end action sequence. Until I saw Alpha Papa, outside of Arctic-based films, that seemed to be the most freezing cold looking action sequence I'd seen.
- 8/6/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
It takes a brave soul to withstand the preening ego and catastrophic presence that is Alan Partridge, but a batch of actors think they have what it takes. The Alan Partridge Movie has added Sean Pertwee, Colm Meaney, Anna Maxwell Martin, Monica Dolan and Dustin Demri-Burns to its already bulging cast roster. The Partridge film, which was written by Steve Coogan, Neil and Rob Gibbons, Peter Baynham and Armando Iannucci, is now shooting in Norfolk under the gaze of director Declan Lowney (a veteran of Father Ted, Little Britain, Cruise Of The Gods and, more recently, Chris O’Dowd’s Moone Boy).Though much of the plot is being kept quiet, we do know it’ll follow Partridge's attempts to resurrect his broadcasting career "while negotiating a potentially violent turn of events at North Norfolk Digital Radio". Die Partridge, pehaps?Those newcomers should get a quick introduction to Alan’s...
- 2/8/2013
- EmpireOnline
As one of the best-known actors around the world, the future is looking pretty excellent for Robert Pattinson with The Twilight Saga officially coming to an end next month, with the release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
He’s been lining up a number of very interesting projects, after most recently starring in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis this year, and now Deadline report that he’s signing on to star in yet another very promising film, Hold On To Me.
James Marsh, the Oscar-winning director behind the documentary, Man on Wire, is at the helm, with the ever-brilliant Carey Mulligan starring in the lead.
“Pic is based on a true story about a femme fatale who with her boyfriend kidnaps and ransoms the town’s richest man. They bury him in a box and things go horribly awry. Pattinson plays the flashy supporting role of the woman’s life love,...
He’s been lining up a number of very interesting projects, after most recently starring in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis this year, and now Deadline report that he’s signing on to star in yet another very promising film, Hold On To Me.
James Marsh, the Oscar-winning director behind the documentary, Man on Wire, is at the helm, with the ever-brilliant Carey Mulligan starring in the lead.
“Pic is based on a true story about a femme fatale who with her boyfriend kidnaps and ransoms the town’s richest man. They bury him in a box and things go horribly awry. Pattinson plays the flashy supporting role of the woman’s life love,...
- 10/16/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The bits and pieces of the upcoming "Alan Partridge" movie -- the first big screen outing by one of Steve Coogan's most well known and beloved character creations -- have been coming in fits and starts for the past year or so. But here's what we know thus far: "Little Britain" and "Cruise Of The Gods" helmer Declan Lowney will get behind the camera for the film, the plot of which has been kept under wraps, with Coogan only teasing thus far that "...there's quite a large event in a small town. And Alan is not the protagonist. He's...an unwilling participant." Well, a more rounded picture of what to expect is beginning to take shape.
The Guardian recently caught up with Coogan's collaborator and writing partner Armando Iannucci who revealed the story could parallel some real life events in the British media. "Alan is in Norwich. It's not...
The Guardian recently caught up with Coogan's collaborator and writing partner Armando Iannucci who revealed the story could parallel some real life events in the British media. "Alan is in Norwich. It's not...
- 6/21/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Steve Coogan has slowly made a name for himself in the U.S., primarily with small roles in movies like Tropic Thunder and The Other Guys. Anyone who’s seen him in The Trip knows he’s a talented comedic actor with a flair for impersonations, but his fellow Brits know him more for his unsavory talk show host, Alan Partridge, star of I’m Alan Partridge. Now, after three TV stints, two radio shows, a book, and a web series, Partridge is finally making the leap to the big screen.
According to THR, Coogan and BBC Films confirmed production on the highly-anticipated Alan Partridge feature film, which will begin this fall; it was also announced that television director Declan Lowney (Little Britain, Father Ted) will helm the project. The choice makes sense, since Lowney has directed Coogan twice before, in the TV movie Cruise Of The Gods and the...
According to THR, Coogan and BBC Films confirmed production on the highly-anticipated Alan Partridge feature film, which will begin this fall; it was also announced that television director Declan Lowney (Little Britain, Father Ted) will helm the project. The choice makes sense, since Lowney has directed Coogan twice before, in the TV movie Cruise Of The Gods and the...
- 5/1/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Of the many characters he's played over the years, Steve Coogan's Alan Patridge remains the most beloved. The consistently lame, earnestly insecure and narcissitic talk show host has spawned two radio series, three TV stints, a book and more recently the new webseries "Mid Morning Matters." Since last year, Coogan has been promising that the anticipated Alan Partridge feature film would shoot in 2012 and it looks like the pieces are coming together for that to happen.
BBC Films has hired Declan Lowney to direct "The Alan Partridge Movie" which is gearing up to lens this fall. Lowney is veteran of Brit TV and film circles, having helmed episodes of popular shows like "Father Ted" and "Little Britain." But most crucially, he has worked with Coogan before. He directed Coogan (along with Rob Brydon) in the TV movie comedy "Cruise Of The Gods" as well as in the short "Paul...
BBC Films has hired Declan Lowney to direct "The Alan Partridge Movie" which is gearing up to lens this fall. Lowney is veteran of Brit TV and film circles, having helmed episodes of popular shows like "Father Ted" and "Little Britain." But most crucially, he has worked with Coogan before. He directed Coogan (along with Rob Brydon) in the TV movie comedy "Cruise Of The Gods" as well as in the short "Paul...
- 4/30/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Exclusive: ICM just signed British comedian/actor Steve Coogan. Coogan last starred in Our Idiot Brother and the upcoming Michael Winterbottom-directed The Trip, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. He’s developing several other projects including Cruise of the Gods, the David Guion/Michael Handelman-directed comedy, and a feature based on Coogan’s Alan Partridge character. He’s managed by 3 Arts and is repped in the UK by Independent Talent Group.
- 2/17/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
It must be frustrating being Steve Coogan. As the winner of numerous British Comedy and BAFTA awards (not to mention the 1992 Perrier Award, the 1997 Silver Rose of Montreux and a South Bank Show Award for his live show “The Man Who Thinks He’s It”) he’s also been listed amongst the 50 funniest acts working in British comedy as well as featuring in the Top 20 greatest comedy acts of all time as voted for by fellow comedians.
He’s forged himself a moderately successful Hollywood career and starred in a number of successful films from the likes of Sofia Coppola, Ben Stiller, Jim Jarmusch, Adam McKay and Frank Oz and starred alongside such names as Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson and Kirsten Dunst. And to top it all off he’s even founded his own production company, Baby Cow Productions, which itself has given birth to such...
He’s forged himself a moderately successful Hollywood career and starred in a number of successful films from the likes of Sofia Coppola, Ben Stiller, Jim Jarmusch, Adam McKay and Frank Oz and starred alongside such names as Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson and Kirsten Dunst. And to top it all off he’s even founded his own production company, Baby Cow Productions, which itself has given birth to such...
- 12/13/2010
- by Nick Turk
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Steve Coogan could be set to reprise his role in Cruise of the Gods, a one-off BBC comedy-drama, featuring such acting-talents as David Walliams and Rob Brydon. La Times are reporting that Focus Features are now looking to develop a remake, tentatively titled The Great Beyond.
Synopsis: Andy (Brydon) is a struggling actor who has never quite reached the success of his first role as Romak in sci-fi series Children Of Castor. When he finds himself as a hotel porter he decides it time to go on that fan-club cruise he’s been putting off for a while. Whilst there he meets Nick (Coogan), his co-star from the TV series. Nick is now a Hollywood success staring in Sherlock Holmes…In Miami. This is the story of the cruise and the surprising events that happen along the way.
Dave Guion and Michael Handelman are attached as writers / directors, most recently...
Synopsis: Andy (Brydon) is a struggling actor who has never quite reached the success of his first role as Romak in sci-fi series Children Of Castor. When he finds himself as a hotel porter he decides it time to go on that fan-club cruise he’s been putting off for a while. Whilst there he meets Nick (Coogan), his co-star from the TV series. Nick is now a Hollywood success staring in Sherlock Holmes…In Miami. This is the story of the cruise and the surprising events that happen along the way.
Dave Guion and Michael Handelman are attached as writers / directors, most recently...
- 7/21/2010
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Share Steve Coogan may star in The Great Beyond, a remake of BBC produced Cruise of the Gods. The film is centered on a fan cruise in honor of a fabricated science-fiction series. Conflict arises between the cast who have been reunited after the series went off the air decades ago. Focus Features are interested in the remake and Steve Coogan may be set to reprise his original role. Coogan’s Hamlet 2 was not exactly a hit at the box office, but it again demonstrated his talent to movie types. David Guion and Michael...
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- 7/21/2010
- by Total Film
- TotalFilm
Looks like Steve Coogan isn't giving up on his movie career just yet, despite a number of false starts.
The Brit comic, last seen on the big screen in Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief, is apparently eyeing up a movie remake of his one-off BBC comedy-drama, Cruise Of The Gods.
Originally aired in 2002, it told the story of a group of actors from a once-famous sci-fi show who reunite on a cruise with their fans only for long-buried petty jealousies and unresolved rivalries to rear their ugly heads once more. It starred the likes of Rob Brydon, David Walliams and James Corden, but at present only Coogan has signed up to reprise his role in the remake which is tentatively going by the title, The Great Beyond.
David Guion and Michael Handelman, who penned the upcoming Steve Carell/Paul Rudd comedy Dinner For Schmucks, have been named as the screenwriters.
The Brit comic, last seen on the big screen in Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief, is apparently eyeing up a movie remake of his one-off BBC comedy-drama, Cruise Of The Gods.
Originally aired in 2002, it told the story of a group of actors from a once-famous sci-fi show who reunite on a cruise with their fans only for long-buried petty jealousies and unresolved rivalries to rear their ugly heads once more. It starred the likes of Rob Brydon, David Walliams and James Corden, but at present only Coogan has signed up to reprise his role in the remake which is tentatively going by the title, The Great Beyond.
David Guion and Michael Handelman, who penned the upcoming Steve Carell/Paul Rudd comedy Dinner For Schmucks, have been named as the screenwriters.
- 7/21/2010
- Screenrush
Though I've enjoyed many British comedy driven films like Shaun of the Dead, In The Loop and Death at a Funeral (not the urban remake from Chris Rock) somehow the fanboy fueled film Cruise of the Gods has slipped through my fingers. The comedy followed a fan cruise in honor of a fictitious science-fiction series and the clashes amongst the cast when they reunite several decades after the series went off the air. Steve Coogan (Hamlet 2) played one of the stars who has since become more successful than the others and now 24 Frames reports he will reprise his role in a new remake of the film currently titled The Great Beyond. Sounds like Galaxy Quest but without all the science fiction action, and since I love the comedy in that film, British comedy, and Steve Coogan, this sounds like it's right up my alley. Like 24 Frames, I've ...
- 7/21/2010
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
In 2002, the BBC aired a comedy drama called Cruise of the Gods that was one part Galaxy Quest and one part Triangle/Howard’s Way. The basic conceit was that a group of actors from a once-famous sci-fi show reunite on a cruise with their fans and the old jealousies and issues raise their ugly heads once more. Now it looks like Focus Features is looking to remake it as a film, with original star Steve Coogan set to reprise his role and a working title of The Great Beyond.Gods featured a wealth of British comedy talent, with Rob Brydon, David Walliams, James Cordon and even Brian “it’s a puppet!” Conley (who appeared as himself in a cameo) aboard alongside Coogan. Their fictional show, The Children of Castor, was a fictional, cheese-laden 1980s post-apocalyptic adventure and the cast end up with very different careers. A couple are still successful,...
- 7/21/2010
- EmpireOnline
Focus Features will give Dinner For Schmucks scribes David Guion and Michael Handelman their shot at matching director's chairs. The duo just got set to write and direct Cruise of the Gods, a remake of the 2002 BBC comedy about a fan cruise held in honor of The Children of Castor, a fictitious 1980s post apocalyptic sci-fi TV series. The cast is the guest of honor, but they've got mixed feelings, specifically dependent on whose career stalled with the series, and who went on to bigger and better things. The comedy's being shepherded by Focus execs Michael Pruss and Kahli [...]...
- 7/21/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Steve Coogan is reportedly in talks to star in a feature film version of his 2002 BBC comedy one-off Cruise of the Gods. Screenwriters Michael Handelman and David Guion confirmed that they are working on a big screen adaptation of the special. The original version starred Rob Brydon as Andy Van Allen, an actor unable to move on from his brief success in an '80s science-fiction show. Coogan played Nick Lee, Van Allen's former co-star who has since established a successful acting career. Gavin & Stacey comedian James Corden also appeared as an obsessive fan of the series. Handelman explained: "Cruise Of The Gods was never shown here [in the Us], so we are (more)...
- 7/14/2010
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
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