Actor Mikko Nousiainen, 32, is to play the role of Marshal C.G.E Mannerheim in an upcoming film to be directed by Renny Harlin. Nousiainen's name was made public on Monday, but the Tampere actor himself has known of his upcoming role already for couple of years.
At a press conference on Monday, Nousiainen said that he has already taken horseback riding lessons and has undergone language coaching in the pronunciation of Russian. He has also read the script written by Heikki Vihinen. He says that he sees some sad features in the character of Mannerheim.
The budget of the project is still about EUR 10 million. Plans for Russian involvement in the film were cancelled recently. Producer Markus Selin says that discussions foundered on the Russians' demands for alterations in the script.
Selin says that financing is coming from "traditional channels".
The partners in the project were also announced on Monday. They include the Finnish railway company VR, as well as Neste Oil, and the energy company Fortum.
Production of the film is to begin in a year. Director Renny Harlin said that sets for the film will probably have to be set up somewhere other than Finland.
The premiere is scheduled for October 30th, 2009, close to the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Winter War.
