EXCLUSIVE: Emmy winner Chris O’Dowd (State Of The Union), Oscar winner Jane Fonda (Book Club), Oscar nominee Ciarán Hinds (Belfast), Oscar nominee John C. Reilly (Stan & Ollie) and BAFTA winner Tom Hollander (Feud) will lead political thriller Ceasefire, set against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland peace process.

Oscar winner Terry George, director of Hotel Rwanda and screenwriter of Irish crime-drama In The Name Of The Father, has scripted and will direct the movie, which is due to shoot in Ireland later this year. Bankside is launching world sales at the upcoming Cannes market.

Ceasefire is based on the true story of Niall O’Dowd, who is described by producers as “the courageous Irish-American journalist who gambles everything to broker a secret backchannel between the IRA (Irish Republican Army) and a wary Clinton administration…As bombings, political betrayal, and mistrust close in, he risks his life to secure a lasting ceasefire between the deadliest enemies.”

Niall O’Dowd, the founder of the Irish Voice newspaper, is known for playing a behind-the-scenes role in Northern Ireland’s Good Friday peace agreement and went on to develop ties to the Clinton family. He served in Hillary Clinton’s Finance Committee for her 2008 presidential run. 

Chris O’Dowd will play Niall O’Dowd. Fonda will play Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, who was Bill Clinton’s representative in Dublin, and was the sister of John, Robert and Ted Kennedy. Reilly will play Congressman Bruce Morrison. Hinds will play CEO Bill Flynn.

The movie, which some years ago was being positioned as a TV series, will be produced by Trevor Birney for Fine Point Films (Kneecap) and Patrick O’Neill for Wildcard (Kneecap). Bankside Films is handling worldwide sales and will be introducing the film to buyers in Cannes.

Terry George, whose last movie was 2016 Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac pic The Promise, said: “Ceasefire is about the fragile, dangerous, often invisible work required to end conflict. It’s about the belief that dialogue can triumph over violence. It’s a message and a story that is dramatic, moving and vital. I am honoured to tell it.”

Trevor Birney and Patrick O’Neill commented: “The war in Northern Ireland was an intractable conflict. After 25-years, any hope for an end to the violence had all but gone. The story behind the process that led to peace is thrilling and emotional and a critical contemporary reminder that individuals – not governments – can bring about change that can save the lives of innocents caught up in a war they didn’t want. Terry is one of Ireland’s greatest filmmakers and he has assembled an amazing cast for the film. We are beyond excited to be going into production on Ceasefire later this year.”

Stephen Kelliher of Bankside Films added: “We are delighted to be working with Terry George and his incredible cast to bring this compelling story to audiences around the world. It’s a story which has incredible relevance in the world today whilst being a thrilling story of one man’s enormous personal endeavour to bring about peace in a world where conflict has become ingrained.”