Saipan, a new film about the events leading up to Ireland’s incendiary 2002 World Cup campaign, will go into production this summer. BAFTA nominated Cork native Éanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, The Sixth Commandment) will play Ireland football captain Roy Keane, with two-time Oscar nominee Steve Coogan (Philomena, The Reckoning) cast as the Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.
Award Winning filmmakers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love) are set to direct from an original script by Paul Fraser (Heartlands, A Room For Romeo Brass).
The film is produced by Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures (Evil Dead Rise, Cocaine Bear, Black 47) along with Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films (Kneecap, Bobby Sands: 66 Days) with Patrick O’Neill, Eoin Egan, and Rachael O’Kane serving as Executive Producers.
Wildcard and Vertigo Releasing have acquired UK and Ireland rights on the film and are scheduling a saturation theatrical release for Summer 2025. Bankside Films have boarded the film for Worldwide sales, with Stephen Kelliher and Sophie Green Executive Producers.
Saipan will be made in association with Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, with a shoot set for Ireland and Saipan later this summer. Greg Martin is Executive Producer for Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, with Ursula Devine Executive Producer for Northern Ireland Screen.