Steve Coogan has been set to take on the role of Ireland’s Football Manager Mick McCarthy in the upcoming movie ‘Saipan.’

Coogan is joined by BAFTA-nominated Cork native Éanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, The Sixth Commandment) who will play Ireland football captain Roy Keane.

The new film about the events leading up to Ireland’s incendiary 2002 World Cup campaign, the Saipan incident was a very public spat in May 2002 between the then Republic of Ireland national football team captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy when the team was preparing in Saipan, Japan for its 2002 FIFA World Cup. It resulted in Keane being sent home from the squad. The incident divided public opinion in Ireland and rumbles on to this day.

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Award-winning filmmakers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love) are set to direct from an original script by Paul Fraser (Heartlands, A Room For Romeo Brass).
Wildcard and Vertigo Releasing have acquired UK and Ireland rights on the film, and are scheduling a theatrical release for Summer 2025.
The feature will be made in association with Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, with a shoot set for Ireland and Saipan later this summer. Greg Martin is Executive Producer for Screen Ireland, with Ursula Devine Executive Producer for Northern Ireland Screen.

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