LEGENDARY Hollywood studio Disney is to film a multi-million

pound version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in the

Westcountry this autumn.

Renowned director Tim Burton is understood to be at the helm

of the project, which will use Plymouth as its backdrop.

The film will have a Victorian setting and is expected to

star heart-throb Johnny Depp, who has worked with Mr Burton on

a number of projects including the recent musical Sweeney Todd

and a remake of Roald Dahl's children's classic Charlie and the

Chocolate Factory.

Ilenka Jelowicki, director of Mad Dog Casting, will be in

the city next week auditioning film extras.

Ms Jelowicki, who would not confirm the names of stars

involved in the film, said: “It's going to be great for

Plymouth. It's a wonderful experience to be part of a big movie

and it will be well-paid and hopefully a hugely enjoyable

experience.”

It is not the first time that Plymouth – or the Westcountry

– has found itself on the silver screen.

Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet filmed scenes for

Sense and Sensibility at Saltram House in 1995 and, more

recently, Christian Slater visited Plymouth's Royal William

Yard for Churchill, the Hollywood Years.

Disney will have plenty of historic and stunning Plymouth

locations to choose from. The Barbican is steeped in history

with echoes of a bygone era etched into its cobbled

streets.

South West Tourism chief executive Malcolm Bell said there

were huge benefits to filming in the Westcountry: “There are

three main benefits with an event of this kind. Firstly, we

can't underestimate the amount of money the cast and crew of

the film will spend in Plymouth while they are here.

“Secondly, the PR that will be brought to the city, and

thirdly, the number of film-lovers who will come here to catch

a glimpse of the sites that are in the film.

“All you have to do is look at what Doc Martin has done for

Port Isaac to see the effects of putting our towns and cities

on the big screen.”

The casting agency is searching for 250 people over the age

of 16 to take part in the film. Auditions will be held at the

New Continental Hotel on Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to

6pm.

Ms Jelowicki said: “We would prefer girls with long hair and

men with natural styles. Extras will get to dress up in

Victorian period costume, corsets and wigs and will have their

make-up done.

“Being an extra can lead to fantastic opportunities. One of

my extras produced his own film and another went on to star in

Hollyoaks.”