Harry Lawtey to play young Richard Burton in 'Mr. Burton'
Harry Lawtey, a promising talent in the UK acting scene, has been selected to portray a young Richard Burton in the upcoming film Mr. Burton, reported Deadline. Known for his roles in BBC-HBO's Industry and ITVX's You And Me, Lawtey is also slated to appear in the Joker sequel Joker: Folie à Deux. In Mr. Burton, he will depict the life of Richard Jenkins (who later became renowned actor Burton), a defiant schoolboy with aspirations of becoming an actor.
'Mr. Burton' to explore popular Welsh actor Burton's early life
Mr. Burton will delve into the true story of Welsh schoolmaster Philip Burton, played by BAFTA winner Toby Jones, and his relationship with Jenkins. The film will follow Jenkins as he grapples with family issues, war-related stress, and personal discipline problems while pursuing his acting dreams. Philip plays a crucial role in Jenkins's life, acting as his tutor and stern disciplinarian before eventually adopting him.
'Mr. Burton' production and release details
The production of Mr. Burton is set to begin in July, with a planned release in 2025 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Burton's birth. The film's financing is being handled by BBC Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, in partnership with Creative Wales. Independent Entertainment is managing sales for the project at the Cannes Film Market and also serving as an executive producer on the film.
Additional cast and crew details for 'Mr. Burton'
The cast of Mr. Burton also includes Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Aneurin Barnard. The film will be directed by Marc Evans, based on a script written by Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams. The production team comprises Ed Talfan and Hannah Thomas from Severn Screen, along with Josh Hyams from Promise Pictures. Lawtey is represented by Hamilton Hodell, UTA, and Goodman, Genow.
