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Campaigners hope the filming in South Wales of a re-make of cult ‘90s movie The Crow could help save a historic Cardiff landmark.

Built in the 1880s to house negotiations over the global sale of Welsh coal, the Coal Exchange is famous as the place where the first million-pound cheque was written to buy coal for France.

Much of the building is now closed following a critical structural survey in 2013 and there have been concerns it could deteriorate further.

But now, the producers of a 2015 reboot of The Crow have chosen South Wales as a filming location and want to use the atmospheric entrance of the Coal Exchange for six weeks of filming beginning in July.

Film makers satisfied building could be used

The original film starred Brandon Lee, the son of the late martial arts expert and actor Bruce Lee, who died on set after being accidentally shot.

It began life as a dark fantasy action comic book story, in which rock musician Eric Draven is revived from the dead to avenge his murder and the death of his girlfriend.

Inside the Coal Exchange:

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Actor Jack Huston has been widely reported to be in talks to take on the lead role, after earlier speculation that Welsh actor and The Hobbit star Luke Evans might take the part.

It is understood after a brief survey of the Coal Exchange building on Thursday using a “cherry picker” platform, the film makers are satisfied it can be used.

'Every effort to save it'

Cardiff-born writer Peter Finch said the use of the building for the movie can only be a good thing.

He said: “We’re not very good in Cardiff at hanging on to things. They tend to get knocked down quickly and questions asked afterwards.

“Every effort should be made to save it, even if it means turning it into a hotel or something, but save it? Yes.”

The Coal Exchange in pictures:

Ian Hill, director of campaign group Save The Coal Exchange which is now the building’s de-facto owner after the previous owners went into liquidation, said any remedial works for the filming would allow the building’s front entrance, foyer and main hall to continue once filming was over.

Mr Hill, who believes the Coal Exchange needs a cash injection of £15m to restore it to its former glory, said: “We are taking the opportunity to make sure that when the door opens, it stays open.

“The Crow will be on site for around six weeks. When they leave, we hope to be able to keep the front door open and give the public access to the foyer and main hall.”

Memorable gigs

In the ‘70s the building was Grade II listed and was once earmarked as a home for the Assembly.

More recently, it’s been home to a range of creative industries and has been used as a set for films and TV shows, including Doctor Who.

Its main hall has also hosted memorable gigs by the Manic Street Preachers, the Stereophonics, Van Morrison and Patti Smith.

But most of the building is now closed following the structural survey which led to the setting up of Save The Coal Exchange.

A spokesman for the group said: “The Exchange is an iconic piece of Welsh industrial heritage as well as being a beautiful example of Victorian architecture and design.

“The Trading Hall, in particular, is a stunning venue with carved wood panels, stained glass windows and a glass roof.”

First Minister Carwyn Jones made the announcement that The Crow would be filmed in South Wales in the Pinewood Studios in Cardiff when visiting the studios in March.