By Paul English
SONS of Anarchy star Tommy Flanagan has spoken of his frustration over Scotland’s failure to establish a film studio.
The 51-year-old former painter and decorator from Easterhouse, Glasgow, has built a successful career in film and TV since moving to America in the early 2000s.
He features in current cinema blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and is best-known for playing Chibs Telford in popular US biker drama Sons of Anarchy.
Scottish ministers recently approved plans for a £20million film studio development to be built in the outskirts of Edinburgh.
But Flanagan said the industry in Scotland is running 23 years late, having failed to capitalise on opportunities brought about by Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, in which he had his first film role.
Flanagan said: “The film industry should have been there since 1994. Mel Gibson wanted to shoot that whole film in Scotland, but Ireland offered him more incentives. Ireland gave him a whole volunteer army and tax breaks, so they go it. He shot four weeks in Scotland and three and half months in Ireland.”
In the US in the early 2000s, the former DJ picked up roles in hits like Face/Off, Gladiator, Charlie’s Angels and Alien Vs Predator.
He now lives in Malibu, California, with his wife Dina, and five-year old-daughter, Aunjanue.
The actor recently revealed plans to write and shoot a drama inspired by his life growing up in Easterhouse, and to return to Scotland to help strengthen the industry.
He said: “I want to bring the film industry back to Scotland, and people like Lynn Ramsay [who directed Ratcatcher, Flanagan’s first lead] are great supporters of that.
“America is home for me just now, because of my wife and daughter, but I could go between the two. I definitely see me going back. I’d love to be involved.”
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