Marty Docherty: heading to Hollywood

Glasgow actor who starred with Tom Hanks in 'Cloud Atlas' heads to LA première thanks to pals
Marty Docherty, who has appeared in Still Game and Gary Tank Commander, is set to jet out to LA today (18 Oct) after his pals organised an online whipround to fund his trip.

The Scots actor has thanked his friends, family and fans in Glasgow today for being able to get him to the LA premiere of the film he starred in alongside Tom Cruise.

Marty Docherty, who appears in Cloud Atlas, was thrilled to land the part, but admitted to pals that he wouldn't be able to afford the cash to attend the celebratory bash. His quick-thinking friends created the Facebook page 'Get Marty to Hollywood' in a bid to raise the money for his air fare. And after hitting their target in no time, Marty - who has starred in Still Game, and Gary, Tank Commander - is set to jet out of the capital today [18 Oct].

He said on his Facebook page: "Thanks to everyone for their support, encouragement, advice and ideas! I'm over the moon!"

First Minister, Alex Salmond also supported Marty's Hollywood dream, he said: "I am delighted to send a message of support from here at Holyrood for Marty Docherty's quest to go to Hollywood.
"I had my own chance to attend a Hollywood premiere earlier this year when I was privileged to see the first screening of Brave, so I know what a thrill it is."
He added: "The determination and initiative shown by Marty and his friends are every bit as impressive as that of Merida in Brave and I know that Marty will be terrific ambassador for Scotland in Los Angeles."
Source: Daily Record

Scottish actor en route to Hollywood film première after pals organise a whip-round in local pub

An actor who stars with Tom Hanks in his latest film could be off to Hollywood – as pals in his local plan to turn a digital whip-round into a movie and send him to the première.

Marty Docherty, 38, landed the role of Hanks’s brother in the Warner Bros movie Cloud Atlas.

He spent days in Berlin shooting for the film alongside an all-star cast including Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and Susan Sarandon.

But he admitted to pals Ian Bustard and Martyn Robertson over a pint in Glasgow’s Griffin Bar that he couldn’t afford the trip to Los Angeles for the star-studded opening night.

The pair – both documentary film-makers – have hatched a plan to get him there so he can become Scotland’s next blockbuster star.

They are making their own movie charting his journey, titled Marty Goes To Hollywood, and have launched a Facebook appeal, getmartytohollywood.

They hope the Scottish public will get behind Marty by donating to the project to help raise the £10,000 needed to send him to LA in October. Last night, Marty, 38, said: “I can’t believe they have done all of this after just a wee conversation in the pub.

“Obviously, going to the première doesn’t guarantee me anything but it definitely won’t hinder me and I think it could open doors.

“I have been acting for 15 years so, if I’m ever going to get to Hollywood and really make it there, then now’s the time. When I was in Berlin filming, I shot scenes with Halle Berry and Hugo Weaving, who was in The Matrix. I met Hugh Grant in make-up and he was so nice.

“They were interested in what I was doing and who I was playing. I couldn’t quite believe I was there.

“I really hope I can go to the première. It’s such an all-star line-up and I’m sure it will be spectacular.”

Ian and Martyn, who between them have 30 years’ experience in the film and entertainment industry, have set up meetings for Marty with a host of Scots-born stars including Robert Carlyle, Gerard Butler and Brian Cox.

They will also organise for him to speak with casting directors and producers.

Ian, 41, said: “When you are part of the hottest property in town, you soon become the hottest property in town yourself. That’s why he has to be at that première.

“When Tommy Flanagan was in Braveheart, he went over to LA for the première and never came back.

“We want the Scottish public to see the great opportunity Marty has and support him. He is well known here having had parts in Dear Green Place and Still Game.

“But Hollywood is the next step and we want to follow his journey as he tries to get there. He will be swapping the hills of Castlemilk for the hills of LA.”

Martyn, 31, said: “He has a good chance here and we want the public – both here and in America – to get behind him.

“We have set up a crowd-funding website where people can buy things like the chance to have their name on the credits of the film or a signed DVD from Marty.

“The items for sale vary from about £4.50 to £800. We want people to have fun with it.

“Yes, this is about a local boy who has done well but it’s much more than that too.”

The Cloud Atlas crew shot some of the scenes for the film in Glasgow last September.

Source: Daily Record

James McAvoy rumoured to star in 'Cloud Atlas'

Actor Tom Hanks has signed up to star in Cloud Atlas, costarring Oscar winner Halle Berry (X-Men: The Last Stand) with the possibility of James McAvoy (the upcoming X-Men: First Class, Atonement), Hugo Weaving (Transformers films, Matrix) and Natalie Portman.

The Wachowskis (Matrix films, Speed Racer) are writing the script and co-directing with Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Perfume), reports Deadline Hollywood.

Based on David Mitchell's Booker-shortlisted novel of the same name, Cloud Atlas is an epic story that follows the actions and consequences of lives impacting others through the past, present and future. The book tells six interconnected stories, such as a single act of kindness rippling out for centuries to inspire a revolution.

Source, and more info: The Independent

James McAvoy attached to 'Cloud Atlas'; distribution deal set for 'Gnomeo and Juliet'?

Several weeks ago, Production Weekly announced that James McAvoy and several other actors had been offered roles in Tom Tykwer's adaptation of Cloud Atlas. According to The Playlist, Tykewer was recently in LA, meeting with potential cast members and James McAvoy is now officially attached to the film. Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, and Natalie Portman are also officially attached, but Ian McKellen's involvement is still up in the air. Cloud Atlas doesn't have any financing or studio backing yet, so the project is still a long way from production. Based on David Mitchell's 2003 novel, Cloud Atlas focuses on six main characters and spans across thousands of years - from the 19th century to the distant future.

On the Gnomeo and Juliet front, the 3D animated film has just completed a UK and Canadian distribution deal with E1. It's schedule to open in February 2011 in the UK and Canada. Meanwhile, Disney will be distributing the film in America on February 11, 2011.

James McAvoy (Gnomeo), Emily Blunt (Juliet), Matt Lucas (Benny), Maggie Smith (Lady Blueberry), Michael Caine (Lord Redbrick), Stephen Merchant (Paris), Ashley Jensen (Nanette), Jason Statham (Tybalt) and Ozzy Osborne lend their voices to the comic make-over of Shakespeare’s tragedy set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. [Screen Daily]

James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff have first child

There hasn't been an official announcement, but The Sun has a photo from yesterday of James and wife Anne-Marie with their new son in London. You can head on over to The Sun for the photo.

In some more related news it appears that James has been offered a role in the screen adaptation of David Mitchell's 2004 novel Cloud Atlas. The book focuses on six main characters and spans across thousands of years - from the 19th century to the distant future. Other actors offered roles include Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, and Natalie Portman.