Brad Cam?
HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR BRAD Pitt has arrived in Oxford to film his latest movie, action thriller Spy Game. The film - directed by Tony Scott and co-starring Robert Redford and Catherine McCormack - is being shot in a basement division of the Oxford Prison. Prison security remained tight-lipped about Pitt's arrival, but confirmed that shooting for the film began on Sunday and should continue for approximately one week.
Pitt will play a CIA operative who has been incarcerated in a foreign jail for espionage. "The prison already has a very sort of period feel to it and production designers have embellished it to authenticate it as a Chinese prison," said Universal Pictures representative Patrick Scott, who revealed that the remainder of the film will be shot in Hungary and Morocco.
Pitt was originally scheduled to reside at the famous Randolph Hotel during the shooting of the film, but has now been moved to an undisclosed location in the expectation of excessive media attention, spokesmen for the hotel stated. But nonetheless film producers and leading lady Catherine McCormack are reported to be staying at the Randolph.
Representatives at Universal Pictures also confirmed that Pitt will not be staying with wife Jennifer Aniston during filming. "Jennifer has other commitments in the States," said Patrick Scott. And he went on to add that the film's tight schedule will prevent any sightseeing for the Golden Globe winning actor while in Oxford.
"He's on a very tight schedule and will be confined either to the set or to his hotel room during production," a film source said.
Pitt's arrival has generated less excitement among Oxford residents than might be expected, largely due to the inaccessibility of the prison. Prison security guards have reportedly experienced little interest from Brad fans and staff at the Randolph maintained that the hotel had been relatively free of sightseers. "I'm a fan," said one University student, "but the set is so closed off that it's unlikely that I'd get a glimpse of him anyway."
New College Land doubled as a busy Far Eastern streetscape at the weekend, as the crew shot extra scenes.
One student - who was kept awake by last week's Harry Potter filming - said: "I'm getting really fed up. I didn't apply to study on a film set."
9th Nov 2000