The first production shots of Ballymena born superstar Liam Neeson as top FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt have been released.
Last year the Hollywood actor sported a new slender figure to take on the role of the whistleblower known as ‘Deep Throat’ who helped uncover the 1974 Watergate scandal.
The scandal eventually led to Richard Nixon’s resignation as the President of the United States.
Originally Tom Hanks was set to take on the role, however, writer/director Peter Landesman changed his mind before shooting began.
Landesman said Co Antrim’s Neeson, 64, famed for roles in Schindler’s List, Michael Collins, Gangs of New York, Kinsey and Taken, was “perfect” for the lead part.
“I realised that Liam has the stillness and the implicit dignity and grace that Felt did” he added.
And Landesman wasn’t the only person who wanted Neeson for the role.
A spokesman for Sony Pictures Classics said: “Mark Felt was one of the most instrumental figures in American history and yet very little is known of him and the risks he took to reveal the truth.
“This is an incredible story well told by Peter and his creative team, with a top-notch cast led by an extraordinary performance from Liam. This film could be not more timely and relevant for audiences.”
Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House which also stars Diane Lane, Maika Monroe and Michael C. Hall is due out in cinemas at the end of September.
Meanwhile in 2018 Neeson will play Michael Woolrich in mystery thriller The Commuter, his character is a businessman caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.
He has also completed production for the drama Widows with Colin Farrell and the action drama Hard Powder.
Neeson’s most recent role was as Ferreira in Martin Scorsese’s Silence. Set in the 17th Century it’s the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests who travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism.