You have reached Jim-Sturgess.com, a growing resource for the talented British actor known from his work in the films Across the Universe, The Other Boleyn Girl and 21. Up next is Crossing Over due out August 22 (US). Here we will keep you up to date with all the latest news, media downloads and information. Bookmark us and check back often for the latest on Jim Sturgess!
U.K. indie distrib Metrodome has snapped up all U.K. rights to Canuck helmer Kari Skogland’s thriller 50 Dead Men Walking from co-producer and sales agent Handmade Films Intl.
Pic is loosely based on Martin McGartland’s autobiography of the same name about his time as an informant inside the Irish Republican Army from 1987 to 1991, who was exposed, tortured and then escaped. He remains in hiding today.
Pic, which toplines Jim Sturgess as McGartland and also stars Ben Kingsley and Nathalie Press, world premiered at the Toronto Film Fest.
The trailer for Fifty Dead Men Walking is available here. I have added captures to the gallery as well as two posters. I really think Jim looks great in the movie and I personally can’t wait to see it for his performance alone.
Based on Martin McGartland’s shocking real life story, Martin is a young lad from west Belfast in the late 1980s who is recruited by the British Police to spy on the IRA. He works his way up the ranks as a volunteer for the IRA whilst feeding information to his British handler and saving lives in the process; until one day he is exposed, captured and tortured to within an inch of his life. He escaped dramatically by throwing himself from a tower block window and is still in hiding today.
Indie distributor Metrodome Distribution has snared U.K. and Irish distribution rights to Kari Skogland’s Fifty Dead Men Walking in a deal with co-producer and sales banner HandMade Films International.
The deal, announced Thursday, was signed by HandMade’s Guy Collins and Metrodome’s Peter Urie after negotiations that started following its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.
HandMade also said it has sold the film to a host of countries including Australia (Village Roadshow), Scandinavia (Svenske), Germany and Austria (ARD Degeto), Spain (Festival Films), Russia (Paradise) and Benelux (EFP).
Jim Sturgess has revealed how he approached the role of playing double agent Martin McGartland in Fifty Dead Men Walking - by getting drunk.
“I got given the book so it was a good starting point for me to look into what he went through and who he was as a person, and his take on the journey that he had. But most importantly, it was just getting myself to Belfast as quick as possible really and just integrating myself with the people that are there,” he said at the film’s press conference in Toronto.
“The pub was the best place to find all the stories we were looking for. So there was a lot of drinking basically that went on with Kevin (Zegers). We just got drunk really and spoke to a lot of Irishmen. Irish people are great storytellers, and especially when you’re sitting in such relaxed environment, and all these amazing things would come out.”
Finally a ‘real’ small update. I have added a batch of new stills from Fifty Dead Men Walking which as we know will see it’s premiere at TIFF. Jim is reportedly scheduled to be there as well! This update also includes a new photoshoot from this year (love!) and two additional pictures from his 2007 Elle shoot. Lastly, Jim was also interviewed for Flashlight Music in July, you can read the full article here.
“I know this sounds so wanky but I really feel that I became an artist when I was in Manchester. It was when I began to think about stuff, to write more stuff - plays and poetry and it made me get back into acting. It was something for me to put my mind to. This was when I worked harder than I’d ever worked.”
21 (2008) 
