Vancouver Screen Scene: Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay, Dirk Gently and Elijah Wood, Jamie Dornan, and more

May 27, 2016
CT
By Craig Takeuchi
4 min read

One of Hollywood’s biggest names is coming to town to join one of our own homegrown talents.

Together, they’ll be shooting a film here about a youth issue that has garnered heightened attention over recent years: bullying.

Julia Roberts and Vancouver child star Jacob Tremblay will costar in the dramatic feature film Wonder.

Who can say no to a face like Vancouver's Jacob Tremblay?

Hollywood luminary Julia Roberts will brighten Vancouver when she comes to shoot a new film here.

You may remember nine-year-old Tremblay from his breakout role in the critically acclaimed Irish-Canadian drama Room, if not for his adorable appearances on the awards-season circuit earlier this year.

The film is based on R. J. Palacio’s 2012 children’s novel Wonder, about a boy with a facial deformity who faces social challenges in finding friends and fitting in with his peers at a private school.

Shooting is scheduled to begin on July 18 and wrap up on September 13.

Samuel Barnett will play the lead of BBC America's Dirk Lightly.

Hollywood luminary Julia Roberts will brighten Vancouver when she comes to shoot a new film here.

Another screen adaptation from literary sources is BBC America’s Dirk Gently series. Filming got underway in town on May 24 for the eight-episode series, which is based on the humorous Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency novel (and its sequel The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul) by Douglas Adams, who is best known for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

The BBC America series stars Samuel Barnett (Jupiter Ascending, The History Boys) as the eccentric and psychic detective Dirk Gently, who is accompanied by his assistant, played by Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) as they set off to solve mysteries.

Elijah Wood will also star in Dirk Lightly.

Hollywood luminary Julia Roberts will brighten Vancouver when she comes to shoot a new film here.

According to IMDb, the cast of episode 1.1 will include some local talent, such as Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica) and Zak Santiago (Continuum), with Dean Parisot (Galaxy Quest, Home Fries) directing.

It’s slated to continue shooting until August 26, and the series will premiere in the fall.

Who can no to a face like Fifty Shades Darker star Jamie Dornan's?

Hollywood luminary Julia Roberts will brighten Vancouver when she comes to shoot a new film here.

Speaking of things from the United Kingdom, although Northern Irish star Jamie Dornan may be shooting the sexually charged Fifty Shades Darker, he’s still a devoted family man in real life.

Dornan has been joined here in Vancouver by his wife Amelia, his daughter Dulcie, and their newborn, who were spotted by British paparazzi enjoying time together around town.

The shooting of the sequel is scheduled to continue until July 6.

Director Antoine Fuqua will direct the new TV series Ice.

Hollywood luminary Julia Roberts will brighten Vancouver when she comes to shoot a new film here.

Incidentally, a day before that production ends, a new TV series will begin its shoot here.

In Ice, which begins production on July 5 and continues until November 11, Vancouver will play Los Angeles as it delves into the gritty world of diamond dealers.

The first episode will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who is best known for his thriller and action films, such as Olympus Has Fallen, as well as the 2015 sports drama Southpaw.

In the meantime, while you wait for these films to hit the screen or if you can’t make it to Vancouver to try to catch a glimpse of some of your favourite stars, you can check out this trailer from the forthcoming Star Trek Beyond, in which Vancouver boldly plays an alien planet.

Vancouver Screen Scene
Julia Roberts
Jacob Tremblay
Dirk Gently
Elijah Wood
Jamie Dornan
Hollywood
local talent