PREVIEWS: Three British films coming up in 2016

To follow up the recent post on British films coming out over the six months, here is a look further ahead to three intriguing films due out next year:  

Billie Piper City of Tiny Lights Director: Pete Travis Starring: Riz Ahmed, Billie Piper, Vincent Regan Genre: Crime thriller Known facts:  A London-set film noir thriller .  Riz Ahmed plays Tommy Akhtar, a private investigator drawn into a dark conspiracy after being hired to find a missing a girl.  Billie Piper co-stars in her first feature film role since Doctor Who established her as a major acting talent.  This is an adaptation of a novel of the same name by Patrick Neale who also wrote the film script.  Pete Travis previously directed cult favourite Dredd. Currently in post-production.

Gemma Arterton She Who Brings Gifts Director:  Colm McCarthy Starring:  Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, Paddy Considine Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama Known facts:  Based on M.R. Carey's The Girl with All the Gifts and adapted by Carey himself, this is  essentially another zombie story set in a dystopian future.  However, the novel was praised for its character depth and intelligence, and the non-generic title and quality casting suggests this should appeal to more than diehard zombie fans.    Director Colm McCarthy is making his feature film debut following excellent work in TV drama, including episodes of Sherlock, Doctor Who and Peaky Blinders. Currently in production.

Eddie Redmayne   Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Director: David Yates Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston Genre: Adventure, Fantasy Known facts:  Written by J.K. Rowling and set in the same wizarding world as Harry Potter, this is the story of Newt Scamender, a researcher of magical creatures.    For her first screenplay, Rowling has teamed up with David Yates who directed the last four Potter films.  Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne plays Scamander. Currently in pre-production. The first of a planned trilogy, the film already has a release date: November 18th.

Other projects of interest next year are new films from British directors Edgar Wright (Baby Driver),  Ben Wheatley (Fire Fire) and Michael Apted (Unlocked).  Steven Spielberg is also directing a largely British cast for his adaptation for Roald Dahl's The BFG.   More news on these films and others will continue to be posted right here!