Vin Diesel to star in film version of the Buggane of St Trinian's

Vin Diesel to star in film version of the Buggane of St Trinian's

Mon, 01 Apr 2024

One of Hollywood’s biggest names has announced his new film project will be based on a tale well-known to most Manx people.

The star of the Fast and Furious franchise, Vin Diesel, made the announcement last week in a revealing interview for Hollywood Reporter.

“It is an ancient Celtic story, pulling on the primeval forces of evil, revenge, death and destruction,” Vin Diesel explained.

Entitled ‘The Tailor,’ Vin Diesel is to star as the eponymous hero of the title, who is forced to do his tailoring work within the church known to be plagued by an evil demon, the Buggane.

The story will be obvious to those with a knowledge of Manx folklore as The Buggane of St Trinians.

The Hollywood Reporter relates that the story first came to the attention of Vin Diesel through a celebrity friend.

Well-known as a collector of the work of Archibald Knox, it was Brad Pitt who suggested the story to Vin Diesel, having come across it in ‘Manx Fairy Tales,’ a collection by Sophia Morrison and illustrated by Knox in 1929.

Inspired by the bare elements of the plot, Vin Diesel brought onboard the producer of the first Fast & Furious film Neal H. Moritz, who has brought the production team and cast together.

As well as Vin Diesel starring as the tailor, Willem Dafoe has been cast as the buggane, with Michael Sheen as the Father O’Mooin, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Mary Gonzales.

James Franklin, Officer at Culture Vannin and one of the authors of ‘A Guide to the Folklore Sites of the Isle of Man,’ said:

“We are delighted to be in conversation with Vin Diesel and his team already. They have gone through the Folklore Guide with a fine toothcomb and brought out elements and dramatic opportunities we had never been aware of.”

The project is not to be filmed in the Island though.

Although it will incorporate elements of the TT races in the narrative, as well as an appearance of the Yn Chruinnaght festival in Peel, the production will be shot in the USA.

Piecing together hints from recent interviews with producer, Neal H. Moritz, it appears that, contrary to the original tale, Vin Diesel’s tailor will escape from the furious buggane on a motorbike.

The ensuing chase through the TT races will substitute San Francisco for Douglas, with the chase running through its legendarily steep streets at break-neck speed.

The early teaser and artwork, released as a part of the Hollywood Reporter article, appear to suggest that the buggane (to be played by Willem Dafoe) will tear off his own head and throw it at Vin Diesel, destroying a CGI-generated version of Tynwald Hill as he does so.

James Franklin says:

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Isle of Man to tell something of its unique story internationally. The Island has so much to offer from its rich store of history and folklore. We could imagine no one better to do that than Vin Diesel.”

Production on 'The Tailor' is underway, with a preliminary release date given as Summer 2025.

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UPDATE:
Sadly, this is an April Fool's story...
However, should anyone have a contact for Vin Diesel, please do let him know that we think a film of the Buggane of St Trinian's would be a great idea... though perhaps not racing with the buggane on a motorbike!
Previous April Fool's stories include Taylor Swift's 'Folklore Jees' album (2023), a cable car over Port Erin bay (2022), the Manx edition of Milky Way (2021), the Joe Wicks Manx workout special (2020), and the Manannan Roll (2019).

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