DERBYSHIRE actor John Hurt has told fans in Derby that he has been approached to play the lead role in a film that some say is "cursed".
Film director and Monty Python star Terry Gilliam has repeatedly tried to shoot The Man Who Killed Don Quixote – a movie based on the novel Don Quixote.
But a string of setbacks has meant the project is yet to be completed.
The film began shooting in 2000, with Jean Rochefort as Quixote and Johnny Depp as Toby Grisoni.
But the production was cancelled after Rochefort fell ill and flooding destroyed part of the set and filming equipment.
Gilliam has attempted to relaunch production several times since 2005 – but without success.
He restarted preliminary work in 2008 with Robert Duvall as Quixote.
Depp was still lined up to play Grisoni, but because of his tight schedule he had to leave the project and was replaced by Ewan McGregor.
In 2010, Gilliam again tried to revive the project, this time with Owen Wilson instead of Depp.
But funding collapsed, prompting industry experts to say that the film was "cursed".
Now, the American-born director is having a fourth go at making the movie.
And this time, he has asked Chesterfield-born John Hurt to play Quixote. The veteran star – winner of four Baftas – revealed he had been asked to play the role during a Q&A session at the Derby Film Festival, which is taking place at Quad.
It is an offer the 74-year-old is expected to take up.
Adam Buss, chief executive at Quad, told the Derby Telegraph: "John said Terry Gilliam had spoken to him about the Don Quixote role, as they are old friends, and he was hopeful it would get going soon."
According to reports, this latest attempt to resurrect the project is well under way.
Casting is said to be taking place this week and filming is set to start in the Canary Islands early next year.
It would be the latest in a long list of films that has cast Hurt as the lead.
Beginning with A Man For All Seasons in 1966, he has played leading roles in a string of highly-successful films including Alien, Midnight Express and The Elephant Man.
In recent years he has reached younger generations through his roles in Doctor Who and three of the Harry Potter movies, working with directors such as Steven Spielberg, Alan Parker and Stephen Frears.
Meanwhile, Mr Buss said the 10-day Derby Film Festival was going extremely well. He said: "Derby has really embraced the film festival and critical response has been excellent. In terms of numbers, sales are markedly higher than last year.
"Overall we are really pleased with all key aspects thus far – sales, a global media response and excellent audience feedback. This will be Quad's most successful film festival yet and is a good sign for Derby Film Festival going forward."
For more information on the film festival, visit www.derbyfilmfestival.co.uk.
Bookings can be made by calling Derby 290 606.
