JERSEY-BORN actor and star of Mattel-owned blockbuster movie Masters of the Universe James Wilkinson has announced his intention to “showcase” the Island with a short film to be shot later this summer.
The 36-year-old plans to team up with London-based production company Sully & Cully for a project designed to highlight Jersey’s many “ridiculously under-utilised” filming locations.
“The production company and a really good director friend of mine – Paddy Cartwright – are planning a short film in Jersey,” Mr Wilkinson said. “We’ve really kindly been given some funding from the powers that be in Jersey, and we’re bringing a team over and hoping to film in September.”
Mr Wilkinson is due to return to the Island this weekend for a screening of Masters of the Universe at Cineworld. He intended to use part of his time in Jersey to scope out some potential filming locations for the short film.
“I’ll be in Jersey for a couple of days, so I’m really excited about that”, he said. “We’re on the lookout for some really cool exterior locations that will showcase Jersey – showcasing the old bunkers, and turrets, and other things like that we have strewn across the Island.”
Part of the motivation behind making the short film, Mr Wilkinson said, is to help make the case for Jersey as a viable destination for high-quality filmmaking.
“The Island is ridiculously underutilised in the UK for filming locations and that needs to change,” he said.
Mr Wilkinson’s career in showbusiness includes extensive experience as a stunt-actor, and he hopes this short film will also serve to shine a light on several of his former colleagues still working in the field.
“We’ll also be showcasing some incredible talent which is under-utilised as well, like my network of stunt people – who I know are just absolutely ten-out-of-ten performers, and they should all be getting a lot more work”, he added.
