Viggo Mortensen & Colin Farrell To Star In Ron Howard’s Tham Luang Cave Rescue Film ‘Thirteen Lives’
Christian Hubbard
Posted On March 11, 2021
The world watched with great anticipation and concern in June and July of 2018. Twelve members of a soccer team in Thailand, aged eleven to sixteen, and their 25-year-old assistant coach entered the Tham Luang Nang Non cave after football practice. Shortly afterward, heavy rains partially flooded the cave, blocking their way out. The effort to rescue these thirteen lives expanded into a massive operation amid intense worldwide public interest involving international rescue teams. Now, according to Deadline, MGM Studios is adapting this real-life saga into a big-budget thriller.
The film, appropriately titled Thirteen Lives, will be directed by cinematic icon Ron Howard. Additionally, the helmer has recruited Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton to lead the film’s ensemble cast. Moreover, Weir Sukollawat (Malila), Thiraphat Sajakul (The Serpent), Sahajak Boonthanakit (The Serpent), Vithaya Pansringarm (The Prey) will join the film’s cast in supporting roles. They join Teeradon “James” Supapunpinyo (Bad Genius), Nophand Boonyai (Only God Forgives), Tom Bateman (Death on the Nile), Paul Gleeson (The Thin Red Line), and Lewis Fitz-Gerald (Pitch Black) as well.
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The film hails from Gladiator screenwriter William Nicholson. Ron Howard will direct the film as well as serve as an executive producer. He joins fellow producers Brian Grazer (Hillbilly Elegy), Karen Lunder (Gifted), and P.J. van Sandwijk (Locked Down).
In the film, Viggo Mortensen portrays Richard Stanton. A specialist in cave rescues through the Cave Rescue Organization, he was honored with the George Medal, the second-highest civilian award for bravery. Mortenson is one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood thanks to his role as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings franchise. The actor also touts three Oscar nominations for Best Actor thanks to his work in films like Green Book.
Moreover, Colin Farrell will portray John Volanthen in Thirteen Lives. A veteran cave diver, Volanthen was honored with the George Medal for his efforts in the rescue. Colin Farrell boasts a rather impressive filmography in his own right. Most recently, the actor appeared in Disney’s Dumbo and Artemis Fowl. Up next, he will portray Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin in DC’s The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson.
What do you think? Do you plan on checking Thirteen Lives upon its release? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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