Eddie Izzard to Star in Australian Comedy 'The Call Back'

The debut feature from writer–director Marion Pilowsky will film in South Australia later this month.

British actor and comedian Eddie Izzard has signed on to star in The Call Back, the feature debut of producer turned writer/director Marion Pilowsky.

Fresh from his turn as Bertie, Prince of Wales in Stephen Frears Victoria & Abdul, Izzard will play British actor Henry, who is romantically entangled with struggling restaurateur Ronnie, who will be played by Australian Emily Taheny. Also joining the cast of The Call Back are French actress Vanessa Guide (The New Adventures of Aladdin), Luke McKenzie (Wentworth), Hugh Sheridan (Packed to the Rafters), Tina Bursill (Wish You Were Here), Susie Youssef (How Not To Behave) and Tiriel Mora (Happy Feet).

The film centers on Ronnie as she struggles with her debt-laden restaurant and the fallout from her previous short-lived romance with British movie star Henry. She's now living with the good-hearted and loyal Jeff, but her world is turned upside down when Henry returns to Australia with his French lover Sophie in tow. Any possibility of fun quickly disappears into a fog of paranoia and truly appalling behavior.

Tomas Jegeus, president of Fox International Productions, said: “Eddie Izzard will bring his impeccable skills as an actor to Marion’s wonderful script. We are thrilled he is joining this very talented cast and crew and very much looking forward to production getting underway in Australia.”

Producers are Sue Murray, David Willing and Marion Pilowsky through Corner Table Productions Australia. Based on an original idea, The Call Back was written by Pilowsky and L. A. Sellars, and was supported during development by the South Australian Film Corp.

Fox International Productions, Screen Australia and SAFC are the investors in the film and it will be distributed in Australia via 20th Century Fox Film Australia. London-based Independent will handle international sales.

Production on The Call Back starts on Oct. 30 on location in South Australian wine country and the city of Adelaide.