Exchange Flags car chase and mystery funfair and what it tells us about Fountain of Youth film

Filming taking place in Liverpool over recent days has given us a series of clues about an upcoming blockbuster film.

Nathan Schofield was on his way home to Bebington yesterday evening when he spotted Natalie Portman and John Krasinski being filmed by a large film crew at St George’s Hall in the city centre.

The ECHO understands filming is part of the shoot for upcoming heist film, Fountain of Youth, directed by Guy Ritchie. This is backed up given the two actors have been confirmed as stars in the production and filming has been undertaken in other locations worldwide.

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Using the information we have so far, here is everything we know about the upcoming blockbuster.

Fountain of Youth

It was announced in March 2023 that the Fountain of Youth was in the works. With a script by James Vanderbilt, best known for penning 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man, the film would focus on the long-standing mythical story of the Fountain of Youth, which restores the youth of anyone who drinks from or bathes in it. Such tales can be traced back to writings in the fifth century BC.

At the time, Dexter Fletcher was on board to direct, who had previously starred in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, starring the late Liverpool actor Jake Abraham.

In January 2024, it was announced that Ritchie had replaced Fletcher as director. Further details about the cast and plot were also released. Deadline described the story as following “two estranged siblings (Krasinski and Portman) who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives — and possibly lead to immortality.”

The chase scene

Footage from last night shows Krasinski and Portman driving a vintage convertible car, which could be a blue Shelby Cobra from the 1960s. The rev of the engine can be heard and they are being followed by a grey BMW.

Filming that took place in Exchange Flags today showed the same car hurtling through the square, this time followed by two grey BMWs and a motorbike, as extras acting as pedestrians dived out of the way. The BMWs have blue lights flashing on the back, suggesting they are unmarked police cars. Later footage shows the police cars chasing the leads around the Nelson Monument.

Therefore, the filming in St George’s Hall and Exchange Flags could all be part of one chase sequence. This suggests the two siblings' quest for the Fountain of Youth has gone sour. Perhaps certain authorities within the film are trying to stop them from locating it.

This chase scene appeared to use stunt doubles for the lead actors as a mask of John Krasinski was seen on set, being held by one of the crew.

The mysterious funfair

The first indication that filming was taking place in Liverpool was the construction of a funfair in Exchange Flags last week. This could suggest that the location is doubling for somewhere else.

This point is backed up by the appearance of a red bus by Exchange Flags with the words ‘Capital Transit London’ on the side, perhaps the equivalent of Transport for London in this universe. There has been no official confirmation of the time period where the film is set.

The modern bus suggests it will be a contemporary setting, but given the 1960s car they are driving and the historical funfair, there could be an element of time travel involved. Another bio for the film claims it will take 'historical cues', while the search for a mythical location could lend itself to elements of science fiction.

It wouldn’t be the first time Liverpool has doubled as London, with fellow Guy Ritchie-film Sherlock Holmes and cold war spy thriller The Ipcress File also using the city for locations in the capital.

Given this is said to be a global heist, this might make up a small section of the film. Filming has also taken place in Thailand, Austria and Egypt.

Liverpool connections

Some of the cast members of Fountain of Youth have some Liverpool connections. Arian Moayed starred in Succession, a series penned by Birkenhead TV writer Jamie Carragher. Carmen Ejogo also starred in Fantastic Beasts and may have visited the city while filming took place here.

How long will the filming last?

It appears filming for Fountain of Youth will be ongoing for some time. In a post on X today, Liverpool Film Office said: "Road closures will be in place on Dale Street, Liverpool City Centre between 4am and 11am on Saturday 18th May due to filming."

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