Ben Younger may only have two feature films to his name (Boiler Room and Prime), but he’s looking to change that this weekend with the release of TIFF favorite Bleed for This, a boxing drama that has been receiving strong reviews and has put the director on the map again. So much so, in fact, that he’s already lined up his next project, and it’ll take the form of a motorcycle racing movie titled Isle of Man.
Set to chronicle “the titular dangerous event that takes place on the island of the same name in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland,” the film has just landed its two lead stars ahead of a production start next summer. Said actors are Matt Damon and Liam Neeson, with the former set to play “an older racer who is lured out of retirement to take a crack at the iconic Mountain course at the center of The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy).” No word yet on Neeson’s role, but it’s presumed it’ll be a starring one.
Speaking about Isle of Man to Variety back when it was announced a few months ago, Younger explained his passion for the project:
I’m thrilled to be partnering with Bold Films on what is an absolute passion project. The Tourist Trophy is the last, great, dangerous race on earth and I am excited by the idea of bringing this new world to a general audience. Over 200 racers have lost their lives on this Island. I want to do their stories justice.
Couple this with the fact that the director is a motorcycle enthusiast himself, and his latest creative venture has all the makings of an intense, visceral thrill ride that’s also steeped in drama. After all, we’ve already seen what Younger can do when it comes to sports films, and if Isle of Man is anything like Bleed for This, then we’re in for a real treat.
With Neeson and Damon now on board, you can expect the rest of the cast for this one to fill up quickly, and once it does, we’ll be sure to let you know.
