'Filth' off to a start

Financing and production plans for Steel Mill Pictures' comedic thriller "Filth" have firmed up, with principal photography set to start next week. Cast includes James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Eddie Marsan, Joanne Froggatt and Imogen Poots. Based on the novel by Irvine Welsh ("Trainspotting"), "Filth" is written and directed by Jon S. Baird ("Cass"), who's also producing through Logie Pictures. Ken Marshall of Steel Mill is producing in partnership with Jens Meurer and Egoli Tossell Film. Financing the film and also producing are Maven Pictures' Trudie Styler and Celine Rattray, Film House Germany, Film I Vast and Creative Scotland. Will Clarke exec produces. Sierra/Affinity announced during Cannes last May that it would represent international sales on "Filth" for Steel Mill, with Lionsgate releasing in the U.K. and Icon distributing in Australia. Story is centered on an Edinburgh police detective who manipulates everyone in his path to secure a promotion and win back his wife and daughter. Shooting is set for Scotland, primarily Glasgow, as well as locations in Sweden, Belgium and Hamburg. It's the second feature for Maven, which is in post on "Imogene," starring Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening and Matt Dillon. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com