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A blockbuster spy movie is set to start shooting in Birmingham, with parts of the city’s Colmore Business District being closed overnight for several nights of filming.

The Golden Circle follows Matthew Vaughn’s 2015 hit Kingsman: The Secret Service and the streets will be used for action shots, including gunfire.

The financial district is being taken over by a second unit director who will shoot some spectacular stunt scenes from Sunday, May 15 to Wednesday, May 18.

The filming has meant some businesses, including the Michelin-starred Purnell's restaurant will temporarily close.

Below: Watch preparations being made for the filming in our exclusive video

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A letter detailing local road closures has been sent to all affected local businesses and residents.

Signed by location manager Tom Woods and FILM Birmingham Manager Sindy Campbell, it says: "We wish to confirm details of the second unit filming taking place in Birmingham for a film provisionally titled 'The Golden Circle'.

"The film will form part of a car chase and will involve intermittent gunfire.

"We will be operating intermittent pedestrian control whilst we are filming as a health and safety precaution.

"This may involve short waits of up to 2 to 3 minutes after which, polite pedestrian marshals will escort you to your destination.

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"In order to facilitate our shoot there will be equipment set up in the locations above prior to filming. This will be managed safely and security will be present at all times.

"We understand that we are guest in your neighbourhood and are putting into place control measures to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

"We are really excited to bring this sequence to Birmingham and thank everybody for the help we have received so far."

With health and safety issues a major concern because of the technical issues involved with shooting complex scenes at night, the locations will become closed sets with no access to members of the public.

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What will they be filming?

The stunts are being masterminded by Adam Kirley, whose previous credits include Batman Begins and Casino Royale.

It is thought a key scene will involve a taxi and, in a change from Hollywood's usual choice of a black Range Rover, the new Jaguar 4x4.

With a 300-strong crew involved, it’s thought it will be the biggest film shoot that Birmingham has ever seen, with an economic benefit worth up to £350,000 for the city.

It is understood the street scenes will double up as London and gunshots from blank weapons will be heard during the night.

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Will any stars be there?

It is unlikely we will see any big named stars hunting for Birmingham city centre's best sandwiches any time soon even though Taron Egerton is returning as Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin.

The Golden Circle is also set to star Oscar-winning actresses Halle Berry and Julianne Moore as well as beefcake Channing Tatum.

None of them are thought to be involved in the Birmingham scenes given that it's billed as a "second unit" shoot.

To facilitate filming, roads in and around Cornwall Street will be closed overnight for four nights from Sunday and the area will be given a whole new look thanks to uplights and downlights.

Victoria Square will be turned into a secure parking lot for facilities' trucks.

Great Charles Queensway will remain open throughout.

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What is Kingsman?

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) was a fast-paced blend of films like James Bond and Men in Black and the latest film to spoof the spy genre after the likes of Austin Powers, Spy Kids and Johnny English.

It also featured lots of Tarantino-lite style violence.

The worldwide gross was £285 million, placing it just outside the all-time top 200 highest grossing movies.

Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) played Harry Hart / Galahad, who recruits a street kid for a competitive training programme just when a twisted tech genius is launching a new global threat.

He was killed off in the original film, but Taron Egerton's cryptic tweet on April 7 has only fuelled speculation that co-writer and director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake / Kick-Ass) will find a way to bring Harry back.

The Golden Circle will introduce the US equivalent of Kingsman - called Statesman, run by Halle Berry's character, Ginger.

Julianne Moore will play the film's villain, Poppy.

Mark Strong will reprise his first-film role as Merlin and it's thought Elton John has been given a part - the kind of left-field casting which saw Tom Jones appearing in Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! (1997) whose stars included Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close.

When can I see The Golden Circle?

The release date has already been pencilled in for June 16, 2017.

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