| Saipan | |
| Director: | Glenn Leyburn Lisa Barros D’Sa |
| Producer: |
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| Screenplay: | Paul Fraser |
| Starring: | |
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| Country: | United Kingdom Ireland |
| Language: | English |
Saipan is an upcoming sports film about the Republic of Ireland national football team in the lead up to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, starring Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke as Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane respectively.
On the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Irish captain Roy Keane forfeits his place in the squad at the team's preparation base in Saipan, following a heated disagreement with the Irish manager Mick McCarthy.[1]
The film is directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa from a script by Paul Fraser. It is produced by Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures along with Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films.[2] It is made in association with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen.[3]
In July 2024, Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke were cast in the roles of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and Ireland captain Roy Keane.[4] Jack Hickey joined the cast as Niall Quinn the following month.[5] Harriet Cains was cast as Keane's wife Theresa.[6]
Principal photography began in Belfast in August 2024.[7] Additional filming took place in Dublin, with the role of Keane's dog, Triggs, being played by Misty the labrador. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SDcbAUuxjD4TW4rlylDPh?si=92XXtbb_SOWyZfOhY-g2IA&t=843