The following comes from Stuff.co.nz here
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/3964988a6002.htmlNote - a photo shows Fat and Thin chief Executive Matt Walsh holding the screenplay which is entitled "Upham: Reluctant Hero".
Crowe may star in movie By ROCHELLE WEST - Taranaki Daily News | Saturday, 17 February 2007
Hollywood heavyweight Russell Crowe is being lined up to star in a Taranaki-made movie about New Zealand's greatest war hero, Charles Upham.
Taranaki will be the location for the $18 million Upham epic, with cameras due to roll in October to November this year.
The Upham project is tipped to be the first of up to seven movies filmed in Taranaki.
It is part of a multi-million-dollar deal announced yesterday by New Zealand film company Fat and Thin Productions.
The film company has moved to New Plymouth for the sole purpose of making movies in Taranaki.
Fat and Thin Productions chief executive Matt Walsh says his company is in talks with Russell Crowe's people in an attempt to secure him for the lead role in the Upham film.
"Russell Crowe is one of those people we think has unique potential for this role," Mr Walsh said.
"There's a range of reasons why he, we believe, would be the right choice for this role – his connection to New Zealand, the history of his grandfather and his potential to play the part."
Crowe's grandfather, Stan Wemyss, was a cinematographer who was awarded an MBE for filming footage of World War II.
Mr Walsh says Fat and Thin is also in talks with agents for other Hollywood stars, Heath Ledger and Ralph Fiennes. Homegrown actor Karl Urban has also been mooted for the project.
"We are expecting to cast a major actor in the lead role," Mr Walsh said.
As for the role of Molly Upham, New Zealand actresses are being eyed.
"Casting is our number one priority for that movie right now and we are hopeful of casting a name actress," Mr Walsh said.
Based on the Upham biography, Mark Of The Lion, the movie is scheduled to premiere in New Zealand on Anzac Day next year.
Upham, a two-time Victoria Cross recipient for his war-time efforts in Egypt and Greece, was the Commonwealth's most decorated soldier.
The movie will cover his life, particularly the six years he fought overseas and was separated from his lifetime love, Molly.
Upham died in 1994.
While firm filming locations are yet to be determined, areas of central and South Taranaki are of particular interest to the producers.
Some of Upham's early life will be filmed in Canterbury, but Mr Walsh expects almost all of the scenes depicting Upham's life overseas and war experiences will be filmed in Taranaki locations.
A crew of up to 90 people will be involved in the Upham film project.
To be directed by Goodbye Pork Pie producer Nigel Hutchinson, the Upham movie script has been co-written by Dean McLachlan, an award-winning public relations practitioner, sports journalist and screen writer, and successful South Island businessman Craig Aitken.
Cinematographer Alun Bollinger, who has shot landmark New Zealand films such as Goodbye Pork Pie, Vigil, Heavenly Creatures, The Frighteners, Perfect Strangers, The Piano and River Queen, will shoot the film.
Simon Clothier, who will edit the film, is one of New Zealand's most experienced editors and post production supervisors, with 25 years' industry experience.
Another high-profile interest in the movie is Wellington's Oscar and Bafta-winning Weta Workshop.
Weta Workshop's award-winning founder Richard Taylor says props, costumes and conceptual art, already completed for the Upham project, are just the beginning of his company's involvement.
"Weta has been approached to build some of the props to assist in the pitch of this film. With great enthusiasm, we look forward to building some large additional props in the future," Mr Taylor said.
"If ever there was a New Zealand story that deserved to be told on cinema screens around the world, this is it.
"It's a story that still resonates with New Zealanders; it's a story that needs to resonate around the world. We have so many heroic stories in this country, but this is special."
Fat and Thin Productions founder Craig Aitken, who secured the rights for the film last year from Upham's three daughters, says making the movie will be a labour of love for his company.
"This is more than a war movie. Upham's whole character is intriguing," Mr Aitken said.
"He was a good father, he had an enduring love with his wife Molly, he was a simple, humble, uncomplicated person who did the most extraordinary things."
Yeah I mean Oscars. (I always get those things mixed up. 
