by Jenni Horn

jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

A news star-studded film adaptation of one of Dickens’ best-loved books is to be shot in Medway.

Scenes for the Great Expectations movie will be filmed after dark in Chatham Maritime next month.

The production will star Hollywood’s Ralph Fiennes as convict Abel Magwitch and Helena Bonham Carter as spinster Miss Havisham.

The two recently shared the screen as the evil Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter franchise.

Jeremy Irvine, who stars in Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, has been chosen for the lead role of Pip, but it has not yet been revealed who will play his love-interest Estella.

The screenplay, said to remain faithful to the original story, is being directed by Mike Newell – best known for directing Four Weddings and a Funeral.

It is due to be released towards the end of next year to mark the bicentenary of Dickens’ birth.

A chase scene for the movie is being filmed in Chatham Maritime from Wednesday, November 16 to Saturday, November 19.

The scene, which will involve two rowing boats and a paddle steamer, will form part of a botched escape plan that appears towards the end of the story.
The filming will take place at night in Basin 2, next to St Mary’s Island. The action takes place entirely in the water, but the film crew will also be using pontoons around the basin. The cameras are expected to be rolling from 3pm to 2am each day.

A letter has been sent to St Mary’s Island residents, warning them of possible disruption.

Medway recently provided the backdrop for a new short film called Magwitch, a prequel to Great Expectations.

The 20-minute production was shot at Upnor Castle, Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, Eastgate House in Rochester and Yantlett’s Creek, in Allhallows.

There have been several versions of Great Expectations on the big screen. David Lean’s 1946 adaptation starring John Mills as Pip was also filmed in Medway.

The opening sequence of the novel is thought to be inspired by the graveyard at St James’ Church, in Cooling.