Isle of Man 'deeply important' to Channing Tatum film

The director of a major new feature film being shot at this year's TT Races said the Isle of Man itself will be as important to the story as the racing.

The Amazon MGM production is underway for the movie called Isle of Man, starring Channing Tatum and Eve Hewson.

Director Reid Carolin said his connection to the island stretched back to childhood memories of his mother.

Speaking trackside to Radio TT, Reid said: "She said her favourite place in the world was this little island in the Irish Sea called the Isle of Man."

"I only realised years later when I was researching to do this film that that was the place she was always telling me about," he said.

For Carolin, the personal connection has shaped the production's focus.

"My job is to capture the love of the race and also the love of the place," he said, adding that the film would showcase not just the TT itself, but also "the beauty of this place and the way it does come alive for race week".

Carolin first visited four years ago and said nothing had prepared him for seeing the TT in person. He said that spirit would be "deeply important" to a film titled Isle of Man.

"You hear a lot of things about what the TT is and you see things on video, but you can't prepare yourself for how extraordinary it is when you first get here," he said.

Calling it "the most pure sporting event" he had experienced, he said riders competed "for the love of the race", and the film aimed to help audiences understand the feeling of freedom competitors experience on the Mountain Course.

The production has embedded itself within the TT paddock, operating from a dedicated race team set-up among real competitors.

Carolin said authenticity had been central to the project from the outset, with the crew determined to portray both the races and the island accurately while ensuring they did not interfere with competitors.

He added that race fans should simply carry on as normal if they crossed paths with filming.

Among those already stepping in front of the cameras is Isle of Man resident Jessica Newing from Colby, who is spending TT fortnight working as an extra.

She applied after a friend mentioned producers were looking for extras. Her character is a television reporter, so she hoped she might get to "interview" Channing Tatum.

"It was very exciting," she said, adding that taking part made this year's TT feel "a bit more special".

Fellow extra Alan Cooper from Douglas, said taking part offered a rare chance to see both sides of the event.

He said he was keen to experience the behind-the-scenes world of TT fortnight after years as a spectator.

Curiosity about filmmaking had also drawn him in, he said, particularly as large-scale productions were relatively uncommon on the island.

Cast as a TT fan, he said: "I can do TT fan quite easily. I've been doing it for 20 years."

Douglas resident Kenneth Susaya said he signed up after a friend mentioned the opportunity.

Having never worked as an extra before, he said being involved in a Hollywood production during TT fortnight felt exciting.

"You don't really get to do this every day," he added.

He said productions like Isle of Man could be positive for tourism and help raise the island's profile internationally.

"Hopefully it's a really good advertisement for the island," he added.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.