The Antrim native turned Hollywood royalty, Liam Neeson, admitted he would be interested in playing the controversial figure of Reverend Ian Paisley in a biographical movie.
The “Taken” star was speaking the press during a trip to Northern Ireland where he was honored with the freedom of his hometown, Ballymena. He explained that he has received several Ian Paisley biopic scripts but they were simply so bad he had to turn it down.
“I have been approached, yeah. I've read a couple of scripts based on the Reverend Ian Paisley, but they were atrocious,” said Neeson, speaking to Express and Star reporters.
“They're really bad, they are. There's a saying - 'If it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage'. But I would certainly think about it.”
Reverend Ian Paisley was a minister of the Free Presbyterian Church and a Loyalist politician who stepped down from public life in 2012, aged 85.
He was known as a firebrand preacher and loyalist community figurehead, having led the Democratic Unionist Party for years before entering a historic power-sharing government with Sinn Féin. Paisley was infamous for his “Ulster says “No!’” stance on the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement and his campaign against the gay community.
The Reverend would be a tough character to play but there’s no doubt that Neeson thinks he would be up to the job.
In 1993 he played the role of Oskar Schindler in “Schindler’s List”. He has also played the role of the “Big Fella” Michael Collins in his biopic “Michael Collins”.
More recently Neeson has turned his hand to action movies such as “Taken”, “Taken 2”, “Grey”, and “Battleship” to name but a few but perhaps it’s time for him to go back to his roots.
The 60-year-old star has admitted he would like to “tread the boards” again. Given that he started his acting career at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre and later Dublin’s Abbey Theatre is seems only natural.
He said “I would love to tread the boards again at some point. It's been four-and-a-half years since I was on the stage so it's time to flex that muscle again.
"I'd love to do it at the Lyric. We're actively trying to find something, you know. I'm a single parent so it's hard trying to distance myself for the moment.”
Neeson’s wife Natasha Richardson died in 2009 after due to a head injury she obtained while skiing. Neeson is now the sole parent to their two sons Micheál and Daniel. The family is based in New York City.
Last this year Neeson will be seen in another action movie “Non Stop”, starring alongside Irish American actress Julianne Moore. The newly fledged action-hero Neeson will yet again play the hero role, as Bill Marks, a long-time Air Marshall who takes charge as terrorists take over a New York to London fight.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.lookbackkid | Apr 10, 2013, 04:48 PM EDT
Excited about "Non Stop"....Liam pass on some of the scipts to Gerard Butler.....thanks
johnshiel | Feb 05, 2013, 09:58 AM EST
how 'bout a sincere shout out to this guy's remarkable ability to play action heroes at age sixty? and he meaintians a level head along the way... remarkable!
Towngate | Feb 03, 2013, 10:11 AM EST
This seems to be a bit of a stunt by him for the benefit of his British Belfast supporters.... and not a serious suggestion.... Tell you what, though ... if Liam wants to portray one of the most distinctively vocal figures in British history,who made such a massive contribution to the reality if 'power-sharing' and the Peace Process (eventually!) - he will have to shake himself up a bit, and realise he won't get away with his usual 'Ballymena Burble' vocal effort on this one! - Personally, I would like to see Liam have a go at Finn McCool, or better still; I think he has the perfect qualities to portray " Cú-Chuláinn - the Hound of Ulster!" - who devoted himself to right a terrible wrong done to his Master, and who ultimately gave his life to defend Old Ulster from those pesky troublesome bandits, south of the border! - Now yer talkin',Liam! - so you are! Sláinte
IrelandNorth | Feb 03, 2013, 05:34 AM EST
Hmmm! Delicious irony! From Michael Collins to Ian Paisley - and in one acting career! I know Oscar Schlinder helped many Jews excape from the Nazi shoa. But I'm not quite sure of the correlation between Sinn Fein and Free Presbyterianism. Ah1 Just got it. The Peace Process of course.
falconflash | Feb 02, 2013, 11:43 PM EST
Ian doesn't look Celtic at all.....
Aliciarose | Feb 02, 2013, 06:32 PM EST
Liam, don't do it. You would have to be made up to look UGLY. That is INSIDE and OUT. I would prefer to remember you as Michael Collins.
myhomenj | Feb 02, 2013, 06:23 PM EST
Liam Neeson would have to wear a pair of horns and have a long tail to take on that job, because that character was the devil !!!
ladygregory | Feb 02, 2013, 06:03 PM EST
I agree with Searlit. He definately has the ability but they're going to have to do one hell of a make-up job for him to look anything like that nasty man!
merefalow | Feb 02, 2013, 02:48 PM EST
the only bloke who could accurately do justice to paisley died in Berlin 67 years ago,
Searlit | Feb 02, 2013, 12:36 PM EST
Eh, I don't think Liam has the right looks to play Ian Paisley. No doubt, he has the acting ability, though.
RobinForester | Feb 02, 2013, 11:51 AM EST
I am British, English actually, and I do not consider the so called Reverend? Ian Paisley (spit-spit) worthy of the honour of a biographical film - heaven forbid. The man was a disgrace, a rabble rouser, a man consumed by hate of Catholics, I want all people to be pro-British, pro-American, to be kind, honourable, to act with care and compassion, but Paisley not my idea of a good Brit, or a good anything. You cannot disturb people with your politics and rantings, you can ask for their vote in a polite manner, but you cannot go out of your way to ferment hatred for others by doing so. I do not know of anyone in England who looked upon Paisley as a patriot, or a good man, and if he was on TV the button soon got rid off him. An horrible man who did no good whatosever.
paddyRanger | Feb 02, 2013, 11:07 AM EST
CelticQueenUSA.......spoken like a true "Bigot" yerself, well done
CelticQueenUSA | Feb 02, 2013, 09:40 AM EST
Amazing to think that this is of interest to anyone. I don't like grouchy bigots so would not go to this movie.