I believe I can fly...

For a while now, there have been internet rumours doing the rounds about an Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards movie. Today, I will attempt to piece together this intriguing saga and come up with a definitive answer to the question – Whatever happened to Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards – The Movie?

Type Eddie The Eagle Edwards Movie into google (other search engines are available) and you will be presented with 134,000 search results. Interesting. Number one in the rankings is an article from a respected UK newspaper’s website with the title ‘Eddie ‘The Eagle’ is landing on the big screen’.

I am given a sense of hope that maybe the movie is awaiting release or going through final edits. But wait, the article is dated 08 Dec 2007. Almost two years ago. The article claims that the film’s star, Steve Coogan, is ‘holed up with the script right now, making “tweaks” – changes that Edwards hopes will eradicate slapstick and add more reality’.

Edwards seems disappointed that 42 year old Coogan would be playing the part, stating ‘Steve Coogan’s playing me, but isn’t he about 42? I was 24 when I went to Calgary.’ However, excitement surrounding the project was picking up pace with shooting expected to start in early 2008 with Little Britain and Father Ted’s Declan Lowney directing. It still says all this on Lowney’s wikipedia page so it must be true.

So, what happened to the project between December 2007 and now…?

Trawling through search engine results, all news stories regarding the Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards Movie were published in 2007. You will notice such promising titles as Coogan jumps at Eddie the Eagle role, Steve Coogan is Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards and the slightly obscure Chin chin for Eddie ‘the Eagle’ regarding a recent trip to a plastic surgeon.

Sadly, after literally minutes of research I have come to the horrible conclusion that this film is probably not going to happen. There could be a few reasons that the film failed to get past the script stage and I will make some suggestions as to why:
1) Coogan thought no-one would want to watch a film and so went back to Alan Partridge, Night at the Museum etc. (most likely)
2) Eddie wasn’t happy that Brad Pitt wouldn’t be playing the lead and so pulled the plug. (very unlikely)
3) The film’s producers are saving the movie for a massive premiere to coincide with the 2010 Winter Olympics. (we can dream)

In conclusion, after so much excitement and optimism my search has ended in disappointment. Eddie The Eagle Edwards – The Movie is probably not going to happen after all. But, don’t give up just yet – The Eagle’s whole career was based on overcoming adversity and triumphing against all odds so who’s to say he isn’t making the movie himself on a handheld camera in his back garden. Come on Eddie, make it so.

Eagle photo courtesy of faeryboots

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