As we reported yesterday, and in refreshing change from all the gloomy news of late, a new movie is currently being filmed at Harrow on the Hill.
The movie, which is as yet untitled, is being written and produced by Jemima Khan via her Instinct Productions banner according to Deadline.
Working Title productions has announced Emma Thompson, Shazad Latif and Lily James will co-star in the film.
James is famous for her roles in Downton Abbey, Baby Driver, Cinderella, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Whilst Latif has starred in Star Trek: Discovery and The Commuter.
The full plot details of the new film have yet to be revealed, but it has been described as a “cross-cultural rom-com” focussing on elements of marriage, and challenges faced by mixed relationships.
Senior BBC journalist Harroon Rashid recently tweeted: “CONFIRMED: Sajal Ali has joined the cast of What’s Love Got To Do With It, directed by @shekharkapur and produced & written by @Jemima_Khan. The rom-com stars Emma Thompson, Lily James & Shazad Latif and is currently being shot in London. Confirmed by Sajal’s agent Hamid Hussain.”
Director Shekhar Kapur has said: “It’s about cultural clashes and it’s a comedy, but it’s about hiding behind an identity and how identities can become tribal, and how tribalism can lead to clashes and fundamentalism. It’s a romcom, but based on this fundamental idea of people adopting identities out of fear of marginalization.”
Back in November, Kapur tweeted: “From Shabana Azmi in Masoom, to SriDevi in Mr India, to Seema Biswas in Bandit Queen, to Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth, to Cate again in Golden Age. And now with Emma Thompson. Been blessed with the opportunity to work with smartest, most talented, brilliant actresses in the world”
With Covid-19 restrictions in place, it is essential that all filming activity is carried out in a secure manner and that industry guidance is rigorously adhered to.
Other producers for the untitled movie include Nicky Kentish Barnes (About A Boy) with Eric Fellner (Bridget Jones’s Baby, The Theory of Everything) and Tim Bevan (Notting Hill, Love Actually).
The bulk of the filming is being shot at St Mary’s Church however people have also reported seeing film sets at Harrow Arts Centre in Hatch End next to Morrison’s. It is not known if the movie is using both locations in Harrow to shoot.
Harrow Online members have been speculating about the new film, one person said: “I was told the film is called New Love which would make sense as all the pink signage around states “NL”.”
Another member said: “At last a bit of excitement, I wonder what they are filming? I want to go and see but won’t because of lockdown, I love Emma Thompson though she is amazing in all of her films”.