'The Banshees of Inisherin' director Martin McDonagh says he's been waiting 14 years to get Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson back on screen together.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, McDonagh chatted about his upcoming film and how it came into existence. The director revealed the title of the film had been in existence for years before he had a plot for it. After setting it aside for a while, he finally starting writing a script which matched the odd title.
"I just wanted to write a sort of simple sad breakup story between two blokes, weirdly. And I guess part of it was always wanting to get Colin and Brendan back together since 'In Bruges'."
McDonagh directed the 2008 black comedy starring the two Irish actors as hitmen in hiding. It was the Irish director's feature-length debut and won him the BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
"I’ve stayed friends with them since then and was always hoping no one else would work with them as a pairing. It almost happened once and it fell through and I was so happy about that. They always wanted to get together too, so that was the germ of it, this breakup story and those guys."
Working with the duo, as it turns out, seems to be a dream according to the 52-year-old. "There was never even a cross word during the eight weeks we made it, which is weird. I love them, and we get on great," McDonagh said.
"There’s no bullshit about us, there’s no fame shit about them. They know I’m still a new-ish filmmaker but know I’m good at the things I’m good at — story and character. And they know I care about what they care about."
'Banshees of Inisherin' arrives in Irish cinemas on October 21.
