Sam Claflin to star alongside Timothy Spall in 'The Corrupted'

"The Hunger Games," "Love, Rosie" and "Me Before You" star Sam Claflin has agreed to join "Enchanted" and "Denial" star Timothy Spall in the upcoming crime thriller film, "The Corrupted."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Claflin is set to star alongside Spall, "Downtown Abbey" actor Hugh Bonneville, "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" actor David Hayman and "Lady Macbeth" actress Naomie Ackie. The British independent film's plot will revolve around the role Claflin will be playing — an ex-convict who was trying to regain his family's love and trust. His future was stolen by Clifford Cullen (Spall) who runs a crime syndicate that had managed to infiltrate the highest levels of politics, finance and police. Claflin's character will find himself entangled in a web of conspiracy and corruption with the focus on the issue of a large-scale land acquisition prior to the Olympic Games in London.

The Exchange is set to sell "The Corrupted's" film rights at the Berlin International Film Festival later this month.

"The Corrupted" will be directed by the British "Pressure" and "Offender" director, Ron Scalpello. The screenplay for the film was written by Nick Moorcroft. The upcoming thriller is being produced by Andrew Berg and John Sachs of Eclipse Films, along with James Spring of Fred Films. Moorcroft and Meg Leonard of Powder Keg Pictures will serve as executive producers.

"The Corrupted" is set to release in 2019.

Meanwhile, Claflin revealed in an interview with BBC Radio 2 with Chris Evans and Geri Horner that he and his wife, Laura Haddock, welcomed their second child — a daughter — last month. The two are also proud parents to their two-year-old son, Pip.

News
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.

The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 

Today in the UK we celebrate Christmas and the period around it with many familiar traditions and activities. There is an understandable assumption that we have always done things this way. However, celebrating Christmas has a long and complex history and things change over time. 

Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country
Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country

The cardinal has spoken out against the excesses of the Maduro government.