Fans can expect all-sorts as Bassett returns to the dugout. England’s favourite manager is set for comeback in Kickstarter-funded sequel
Made famous by his X-rated team talks and cult-like following in football circles, it is confirmed today that Mike Bassett will return in a sequel to the 2001 hit Mike Bassett: England Manager. Mike Bassett: Interim Manager will see Ricky Tomlinson reprise his role as the hapless football manager, while the film itself will take an innovative approach to funding.
Mike Bassett: Interim Manager will be part funded by fans via crowd-sourcing website Kickstarter. The approach will give football fans the unique chance to be a part of the film even before shooting has begun. Between October 13th and November 20th 2014, fans of the film will be able to contribute cash to the production in exchange for gifts and rewards. For example, a donation of £5 will get you a Mike Bassett ringtone, while a donation of £5,000 will get you a one-line speaking role in the film. Fans can get involved by heading to Kickstarter.com and searching for Mike Bassett: Interim Manager.
Directed by Steve Barron (Mike Bassett, Coneheads, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and produced by Leo Pearlman for Fulwell 73 (Class of ’92, One Direction: This Is Us), the film sees Mike Bassett falling on hard times after a series of ill-advised and hilarious career moves, including stints in Germany and with the Iranian national team…who have mistaken him for QPR manager Harry Redknapp.
However, when England’s successful German manager gets another job just weeks before the World Cup, a desperate situation calls for a desperate man and Mike Bassett: Interim Manager is born.
As well as Tomlinson, Amanda Redman and Bradley Walsh are set to reprise their roles as Karine Bassett and assistant manager Dave ‘Doddsy’ Dodds, while Inglorious Basterds star Til Schweiger is in the frame to play the enigmatic German manager Jorgen Mannstein.
Filming for the movie will begin in March 2015 and will be aiming to hit the silver screen early in 2016. Riley Productions (The House I Live In, Tell Them) will act as the film’s production company.
To find out more about funding the film head to Kickstarter, where fans can donate money in return for exciting gifts and rewards.
Director Steve Barron said: “I had such a great time making the first movie, and watching Bassett become such a football icon over the years has been wonderful. With the Germans dominating football again, we brainstormed a really fun idea and it felt right to bring him back. We can’t wait to get started.
“It’s the passion of the fans that convinced us a Bassett return is welcome and that’s why we’re looking to create a film that is partially fan-funded via Kickstarter. It’s innovative fundraising and enables us to create a film for football fans, made by football fans.”
Ricky Tomlinson added: “It was an easy decision for me to play Mike again. Who wouldn’t want to be England manager without all the stress of actually having the job? Whenever I speak to football fans there’s such affection for Bassett that it’s hard to ignore the demand.
“The Kickstarter element is a brilliant way of getting people involved in the film. It’s a football film for football fans so it’s great to recreate the same collectiveness you see on the terraces in a movie.”
For more information contact Greg Double or Laurence Bather at Frank PR
gregdouble@frankpr.it or laurencebather@frankpr.it – 0207 693 6999
