For all you Heineken beer lovers, did you know that there is a story behind the brand that got Hollywood knocking on the family’s door? Alfred , the grandson of the founder of the Heineken brewery, and his driver were kidnapped and held for ransom in 1983. A story that only recently attracted the attention of movie executives, and in true Hollywood fashion, decided to bring it to the big screen for all of our viewing pleasure.
Despite it being based on a true story, film makers are keeping a tight lid on the script. So far, we do know that it will focus on it being “the crime of the century” that resulted in the largest ransom ever paid in history. With a subplot of testing the limits of love and friendship.
This film already boasts an impressive cast and director. Not only have Aussies Ryan Kwanten (True Blood) and Sam Worthington (Avatar) have signed up to star in the film, but so has Jim Sturgess (Cloud Atlas) and veteran actor and legend Anthony Hopkins. It has been revealed that Hopkins will play the role of Heineken. Director Daniel Alfredson (The Girl Who Played with Fire) and cast are set to start shooting in Belgium this month.
There is a growing trend within Hollywood, studio bosses seem to have realised that taking lesser known true stories and creating films out of them, such as; Lawless, Rush, as well as Pain and Gain are more of a money maker then most of their “blockbuster” films these days. It should be interesting to see if this movie will continue the trend.
So far, “Kidnapping Freddy Heineken” is set for a late 2014 release.
