Irish Eye on Hollywood: Rumors Surround U.S. Father Ted Remake

Hollywood runs on many things, from money to egos. Another essential show biz ingredient?

Rumors. It often takes months – even years – to sort out the difference between what a movie is rumored to look like, and what actually appears on the big screen.

With that in mind, here’s what we know now about the rumored American remake of the beloved Irish TV show Father Ted. Which may be set in the United States. Or not. Starring Steve Martin. Or not.

According to the Irish Post, “Details about the show have been extremely sparse up until this point, but producers have now revealed it will be set in an Irish American community on a rural island called New Craggy.”

The show will reportedly be renamed Father Hank. According to the Post, comedy legend Steve Martin (above) will star in the title role as “a Southern priest sent to the inhospitable New Craggy as punishment for advocating saying Mass during mid-week so that priests get a weekend off too.”

This report also has A-list Irish and Irish American stars joining Martin in the cast: Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, and Mickey Rourke.

Another internet report (which didn’t mention Martin or McCarthy or Rourke) has Father Ted writer Arthur Matthew writing the screenplay, while director Declan Lowney is rumored to direct. Lowney was quoted as saying, “It was important to get as many [of] the old gang back together. Some key people we will miss but you wouldn’t believe the names that have hinted they’d love to wear a collar! We all know that this is a great opportunity to produce an Irish comedy film that will make the world laugh.”

Whether or not this project makes it to the big screen is anybody’s guess. Stay tuned. ♦

Leave a Reply