Oscar nominees Bill Nighy and Toni Collette, along with an international ensemble cast, are set to continue production on Ibelin in Prague this summer, with filming scheduled to move to Barrandov Studio in August following the project’s shoot in Norway earlier this year.
While producers have not officially detailed the Czech portion of the production, local casting notices point to an fantasy component that likely contrasts with contemporary material already filmed in Oslo. The Prague schedule is expected to run from early August through early October, making Ibelin one of the latest major international productions to choose the Czech capital for studio work.
The film is directed by Norwegian filmmaker Morten Tyldum, whose credits include The Imitation Game and Passengers, and tells the true story of Norwegian gamer Mats Steen, whose online life inspired the acclaimed 2024 Netflix documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.
A true story moves from Norway to Prague
Production on Ibelin began earlier this year in Oslo, where filmmakers recreated the real-life story of Steen, who was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As his condition progressively limited his mobility, Steen built a second life through the online role-playing game World of Warcraft, becoming known to fellow players by the heroic alter ego Ibelin.
The feature film stars Charlie Plummer as Steen alongside Collette, Stephen Graham, Isabela Merced and Maisy Stella. In April, producers announced that Nighy had joined the cast, replacing Anthony Hopkins, who had previously been attached to the project before departing.
Additional cast members include Kirby Howell-Baptiste, John Bradley, Ivanna Sakhno, Ekow Quartey, Jax James and newcomer Clodagh Bhalla.
The screenplay was written by Ilaria Bernardini, with revisions by Hossein Amini, and is inspired by Steen’s blog, Musings of Life. The production is backed by Vendôme Pictures, Pathé and Neby-Tyldum AS, with Black Bear handling international sales.
Although producers have not announced where the Czech scenes fit into the narrative, the production’s split between Norway and Prague likely reflects the story’s dual structure, juxtaposing Steen’s everyday life with the rich fantasy world he inhabited online.
Casting calls hint at a fantasy world built at Barrandov
Several recent Czech casting notices offer the clearest indication yet of what will be filmed in Prague.
Casting agency ProCast is seeking stand-ins for a two-month shoot running from early August through early October, with selected performers expected to work as many as 40 filming days. Casting notices specifically describe Ibelin as a fantasy film while seeking performers for medieval-inspired roles such as a blacksmith, an imposing guard, and an older tavern keeper.
Those roles resemble archetypal fantasy characters and appear consistent with environments inspired by World of Warcraft, although the production has not officially confirmed that connection. At the same time, additional casting calls seek men and women for scenes depicting contemporary London, including shoppers, pedestrians and customers in a hair salon.
The Czech Republic has become an increasingly common destination for productions requiring large-scale fantasy environments thanks to its experienced crews, extensive studio facilities and competitive production incentives.
Barrandov Studio has previously hosted major international fantasy and historical projects, making it a natural choice for a production balancing contemporary drama with an expansive fictional world. In addition to two brand-new sound stages, the studio also boasts extensive backlots including a full medieval town originally built for Knightfall, and Parisian streets utilized for Interview with the Vampire.
No release date has yet been announced for Ibelin, but with principal photography now spanning Norway and the Czech Republic throughout 2026, a bow in mid-to-late 2027 could be tentatively anticipated.
Lead image: Bill Nighy / Toni Collette / Charlie Plummer / Stephen Graham courtesy DepositPhotos.com
