While the competition to play the role of Dan Eldon, a photo-journalist murdered by a Somalian mob in 1993, was tough, with stars like Orlando Bloom and Heath Ledger vying for the role, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) ended up winning the part, with the mother of Eldon giving her wholehearted approval to the choice.
Kathy Eldon (Dan's Mother) said she preferred Radcliffe based on his youth more than anything: "We resisted a lot of older actors because Dan was a boy emerging into manhood."
It's not easy to think of Orlando Bloom or Heath Ledger as being old, yet Radcliffe, who is 22 at this time, does make it more believable and authentic as to the time when Dan Eldon lost his life.
The film will be called Journey, and is a look at the civil war in Somalia. Along with Eldon, three other journalists were stoned to death by the mob: Hos Maina, Anthony Macharia and Hansi Krauss,
You can find out more about Dan at the website "Inspired by the Life and Work of Dan Eldon.
I'm a 14 year old Keyan of Somali origin who speaks both English and Swahili fluently (and a bit of Somali) and I would really appreciate it if anyone gave me the contacts of the makers of this film because I'd really like to try out for any role that I can in this movie. Amyway, I admire Dan Eldon and what he did for the Somali people so I'm happy that a movie will be made about him.
Ahmed.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 7, 2008 5:22 AM | Permalink to Comment