Men in tights: movie debut for Fathers 4 Justice

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

Why David Cameron owes unemployed single mothers an apology

How would you describe an unemployed single mother, with moderate depression, who can't afford new s...

Can we shop our way out of a recession?

The idea that a lot of shopping translates into a healthy economy is dubious. On the three prior oc...

How social networking made public vanity acceptable

When did it become acceptable to brag about oneself publicly?

‘French beer is unknown. We must change that’

Stereotypes die hard. ‘The Very Hungry Frenchman’, the BBC’s current television series following che...

A fortnight after they decided to hang up their Batman outfits and call it a day, the "heroes" of direct-action group Fathers 4 Justice are to be immortalised in F4J: the movie.

The group's founder, Matt O'Connor, has sold rights to his organisation's story to Harbour Pictures, the British firm that made Calendar Girls.

At present, a cast and screenplay are in the middle of being assembled. Danny DeVito, left, is tipped to play Jason Hatch, right, the protester who scaled Buckingham Palace. The script is being written by Danny Brocklehurst, one of the creators of Shameless.

"The most important thing is for us to get the story right. It's about serious issues but hopefully, like in Calendar Girls, there'll be moments of comedy too," says Suzanne Mackie, a producer on the project.

"That said, we're not going to shy away from the very complicated problems created when relationships break down. We intend to make a film that will strike a chord around the world on every level."

The project is scheduled to commence filming in early 2007. Although it is expected to take an unbiased approach to F4J's occasionally divisive campaigns, prominent members gave it a cautious welcome yesterday.

Hatch is particularly excited. "I suppose it was always going to come, and there was always going to be someone playing me, because I was the face of Fathers 4 Justice," he said.

"I'd have liked to be played by Brad Pitt, but I suppose Danny DeVito will do."

* Odd to hear of Rachel Weisz's nomination for the "Best Supporting Actress" prize at this year's Oscars.

A growing number of critics believe the British star, right, shouldn't even be considered for the gong, since she is, in fact, the leading lady in The Constant Gardener, which co-stars Ralph Fiennes.

"It's a total swizz," says one. "Focus Features, who made the film, obviously reckon she's got no chance in the best actress category, so have been lobbying for best supporting actress.

"It's your typical, cynical marketing stunt by a major studio. And the annoying thing is that, so far, everyone's been taken in."

Focus Features certainly isn't backing down. "Although Rachel is indeed our leading lady, she dies halfway through the film," they say.

"Because she only ends up in half of it, there's a strong argument that she's in fact got a supporting role."

* David Cameron intends to underline his green credentials by turning the Tory Party "carbon neutral".

Other high-living members of the Notting Hill set are anxious to do their bit for the environment, too.

Last night, Marco Pierre White held a bash to launch a range of "carbon neutral" nightclubs in west London.

"We've worked out that each clubber produces 58p's worth of carbon per night, through drinks, smoke, sweat and taxis," says the organiser, TLC.

"We hold several events every week. From now on, for each person that attends them, we'll put 58p into planting a sustainable forest near Zac Goldsmith's place in Devon."

Who said green wasn't grand?

* Most of us would consider it a great honour to be acclaimed as a creative influence on the genius that is Ben Elton.

Lord Lloyd-Webber, left, isn't so sure, though. He's been kicking up a fuss over the Mail on Sunday's coverage of Elton's current tour.

At issue: a recent review that claimed the comedian "sold out by collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Webber on musicals such as We Will Rock You and Tonight's The Night."

On Monday, Lloyd Webber's office informed the paper's legal team that he'd actually done no such thing.

"We were told, in no uncertain terms, that this was a very serious mistake, and shouldn't be repeated," I'm told. "Lloyd Webber and Elton only collaborated once, on a musical called The Beautiful Game. A correction and legal warning have gone on file."

Thankfully, Lloyd Webber's staff are unlikely to take further action. "Obviously the piece did have a major factual inaccuracy, but I don't think we wish to comment further," they say.

At last, Sir Menzies Campbell has managed to jollify the Liberal Democrat leadership contest with a decent howler.

Yesterday, he addressed students at the London School of Economics about the need to recruit female and ethnic-minority MPs.

All went swimmingly, until Sir Ming got up to leave, declaring: "I'm about to have my picture taken with a hundred women."

On his way out, he stepped across some prayer mats, left by a group of Muslim students who had previously used the room.

"It was a complete accident, but very embarrassing, because Muslims treat prayer mats as sacred objects," I'm told.

"You should certainly never, ever step on them like that. Ming's meant to be a statesman; but in some parts of the world, he'd have been lucky to get out alive."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

So long Sarkozy: Inside the tiny town that will topple the French president

Inside the tiny town that will topple Sarkozy

The tiny town of Donzy is France's political weathervane finds John Lichfield.
A class act: Claire Foy on criticism, tumours and embarrassing sex scenes

Claire Foy: Criticism, tumours and embarrassing sex scenes

Her luminous good looks made the actress the star of Little Dorrit and Upstairs Downstairs
A new leaf: Mark Hix sings the praises of spinach

A new leaf: Mark Hix sings the praises of spinach

Spinach is the versatile superfood that will keep you strong and healthy throughout the winter months.
Hollywood ate my novel: Novelists reveal what it’s like to have their book turned into a movie

Hollywood ate my novel

Novelists reveal what it’s like to have their book turned into a movie
How you can force companies to behave themselves

How you can force companies to behave themselves

Buying even a single share in a firm gives you the right to question its practices
Lost in the landscape: Wilderness and wildlife in Australia’s Top End

Wilderness and wildlife in Australia’s Top End

This sparsely populated region is home to creatures that are both fantastic and formidable
48 Hours: Marrakech

48 Hours: Marrakech

From the ancient medina to the Palmeraie, Morocco's Rose City offers a warm escape from the cold of winter.
Bear with Bern for Swiss skiing

Bear with Bern for Swiss skiing

Stephen Wood arrives at the gateway to the Bernese Oberland with plenty of respect for the slopes and the city's ursine inhabitants.
Dawn of the age of wireless medicine

Dawn of the age of wireless medicine

New technology means doctors will soon be able to regulate and monitor drug intake remotely – as long as patients remember to swallow their chips
Pete Doherty: I was a bit unhinged

Pete Doherty: I was a bit unhinged

Former Libertine talks frankly and exclusively about Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, his baby daughter and why he paints with his own blood
Brown makes £1m since leaving No 10 (but Blair's still the leading earner)

Brown makes £1m since leaving No 10...

... but Blair's still the leading earner
The West Bank's Bobby Sands

The West Bank's Bobby Sands

Khader Adnan's two-month hunger strike has made him a hero among Palestinians outraged by Israel's policy of arbitrary detention
Hey, You've got to hide your drug away

Hey, You've got to hide your drug away

Paul McCartney has given up smoking dope. Simon Usborne charts a career of highs and lows
The 50 Best lights

The 50 Best cheap eats

The top spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner
MI5 helped US in fruitless search for Charlie Chaplin's Communist past

Investigating Charlie Chaplin

MI5 helped US in fruitless search for star's Communist past