The municipality of Sant Cugat del Vallès has lost the filming of the blockbuster 'The Last Druid', starring Russell Crowe, due to a swine fever outbreak that forced the suspension of permits. The filming has moved to Gran Canaria.
The filming of the movie The Last Druid, which was set to feature actor Russell Crowe as the lead, will not take place in Sant Cugat del Vallès. Regional health authorities suspended the filming permit in the area due to a swine fever outbreak, as this newspaper has learned.
The production, directed by William Eubank, had initially planned to shoot scenes in the picturesque locations of the municipality. However, the health alert forced the relocation of the shoot, which has now moved to the island of Gran Canaria, where Crowe has already arrived to begin work.
Russell Crowe, Oscar winner for Gladiator, arrived at Gran Canaria Airport on Saturday, July 25. His presence sparked the attention of residents and users on social media, where several videos of his arrival on the island were shared.
The film, titled The Last Druid (El último druida), is a period blockbuster set in the Roman Empire. Crowe plays an elderly Celtic leader who must take up arms to defend his people against invading troops. The plot follows a druid living in isolation with his community in the mountains; when a Roman expedition discovers the stronghold and plans its conquest, the protagonist is forced to lead an armed rebellion.
Alongside Crowe, the international cast includes Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones), Andreas Pietschmann (Dark), Daniel Zovatto (Don't Breathe), and Stacy Clausen. The direction is in the hands of American filmmaker William Eubank.
The loss of the filming represents a setback for Sant Cugat, which had been chosen as a location for its natural landscapes and the collaboration of the production company Nostromo Pictures, led by Gran Canaria producer Adrián Guerra. The decision to suspend the permits was made for health prevention reasons due to the swine fever outbreak, with no further details provided about the extent of the alert.
In Gran Canaria, the production will use various natural locations in the interior of the island to recreate ancient Caledonia (present-day Scotland). The archipelago has established itself as a sought-after natural set for the international film industry, partly due to tax incentives and the variety of landscapes.
For the residents of Sant Cugat, the news represents a missed opportunity to see a Hollywood star up close and for the municipality to feature in a major production. However, industry sources point out that the decision was inevitable for public health reasons.
Filming in the Canary Islands is expected to extend over the coming weeks at various outdoor locations. So far, no other dates have been announced for a possible shoot in Catalonia.
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