The bits and pieces of the upcoming "Alan Partridge" movie — the first big screen outing by one of Steve Coogan's most well known and beloved character creations — have been coming in fits and starts for the past year or so. But here's what we know thus far: "Little Britain" and "Cruise Of The Gods" helmer Declan Lowney will get behind the camera for the film, the plot of which has been kept under wraps, with Coogan only teasing thus far that "…there's quite a large event in a small town. And Alan is not the protagonist. He's…an unwilling participant." Well, a more rounded picture of what to expect is beginning to take shape.
The Guardian recently caught up with Coogan's collaborator and writing partner Armando Iannucci who revealed the story could parallel some real life events in the British media. "Alan is in Norwich. It's not 'Alan goes to Hollywood'; it's not 'Alan invaded by aliens' or anything like that. He's on North Norfolk Digital, which is taken over by a bigger media conglomerate and has its name changed to Shape. And that kicks everything off," he said.
Of course, Coogan himself was wrapped up in the phone hacking scandal that swept the U.K. last year (which is still being dealt with now), so one has to wonder how much that may come into play in the film, which is being developed by a roster of talent that also includes Pete Baynham ("Borat") and Rob and Neil Gibbons. Could Partridge turn the tables and hack into the phones of executives of the media giants to get the bigwigs off his back? Just a guess, but it's hard to imagine that Coogan won't use his own experiences to try and make a statement about an issue he's very passionate about.
While the plan was for the film to shoot this year, schedules have been adjusted slightly and it's now looking to roll at the end of 2012 or in early 2013. And while we're eager to see what comes of it, nothing is going to top Coogan's awesome takedown of former News Of The World deputy editor Peter Mullan on BBC. Watch it below.
