When is A Streetcat Named Bob out, who’s in the cast, is there a trailer and what’s it all about?
IT’S the heart-warming tale of a man and his cat that turned homeless James Bowen and his feline friend into international celebrities.
His best-selling book A Streetcat Named Bob, which chronicled the former drug addict’s struggles and how he met his faithful four-legged friend has now been made into movie.
Last night, the stars of the film turned out for the London premiere which was attended by animal-lover The Duchess of Cambridge.
But when is the film released, who’s in the cast and what exactly is the story all about?
When is the film A Streetcat Named Bob released?
The British-made film is released all across the UK today and in the US on November 18th.
Last night, the world premiere took place in London attended by all the cast and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Author James Bowen was also there with his faithful feline friend Bob, who didn’t seem fazed by all the attention on the red carpet.
Who’s in the cast?
Luke Treadaway (James Bowen)
Luke, 32, is best known for his roles in Attack the Block, Clash of the Titans, Killing Bono and the TV series Fortitude. He won an Olivier Award for Best Leading Actor for his performance as Christopher in the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
His twin brother Harry is also an actor and Luke is dating actress Ruta Gedmintas, who also stars in the film as Belle, Bowen’s neighbour.
Bob (himself)
The film’s producers had originally lined up ten specially trained doubles but they proved to be scared of the cameras and all the bustle on set when it came to filming in London at night, so the real Bob stepped in.
Speaking to the Sun, Bowen said: “Bob was never supposed to be in the film. The producer brought these cats over from Canada. They were great cats but they didn’t know London.
“As it was getting dark, Bob was with me and they were shooting near Bow Street Magistrates and they asked Bob to help out.
“They said Bob was doing brilliantly so would I mind bringing him in every day? I couldn’t have been more honoured.”
Joanne Froggatt (Val, Bowen’s drug support worker)
Joanne is best known for her role as lady’s maid Anna Bates in Downton Abbey for which she received a Golden Globe award and three Emmy nominations.
The 36-year-old is currently starring as Mary Ann Cotton in the ITV miniseries Dark Angel.
Anthony Head (Nigel Bowen, James’s father)
Anthony rose to fame in the Nescafe Gold Blend adverts in the Eighties but is best known for his role as Rupert Giles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Is there a trailer?
Yes and it can be viewed at the official StreetCatBob Facebook page along with clips from the film. It is also available on YouTube on the Sony Pictures Releasing UK page.
What’s it all about?
The film is based on the best-selling book of the same name. James Bowen was a homeless heroin addict who slept on the streets for ten years before he enrolled on a methadone programme, was moved to a housing program and began busking in Covent Garden.
One day, he came across a stray ginger cat in his hallway who had an injured leg. James took him in and looked after him until he healed but when he tried to put him back on the street, Bob followed him around until James adopted him. James bought him a harness so he could travel around London with him safely and the pair soon became popular among tourists and locals.
A publishing house was interested in their story and turned it into a book, which then went on to spawn six more.
James credits Bob for getting him off methadone and giving him a purpose in life and turning his fortunes around.
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