Bill Murray is risking another lost-in-translation moment with the news that he's signed up for a new film, City of Embers, that will be shooting in sunny Belfast.
Based on the novel by Jeanne DuPrau - it's described, incidentally, as a "young adults" novel, which means it's for "kids who can read without moving their lips" - the story is about an insular, dark place where the only light comes from street lamps. With the power beginning to fail, two teenagers start investigating their home, but come up against a corrupt mayor who tries to thwart their investigations.
There's no word yet on who Murray's playing, but we're saying that he's neither of the teenagers. The film will be directed by Gil Kenan, of the awesome Monster House (the best animated film of last year? Quite possibly) with Tom Hanks' Playtone producing. Caroline Thompson, who's worked with Tim Burton on films like Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride, as well as on the terrific The Addams Family and The Secret Garden, is adapting the script.
The whole thing's due to shoot in Belfast this summer, with an October 2008 release date planned. With Hellboy 2 also scheduled to shoot in Northern Ireland soon, the province is officially The New New Zealand for fantasy films - you heard it here first, people. Let's just hope that Murray can figure out the accents.