First photos from Nine’s controversial Shane Warne biopic show lead actor in a blond wig while actress playing his wife Simone sports a fake baby bump – after the late cricketer’s family condemned the ‘disrespectful’ series
These are the first on-set photos from Nine’s upcoming mini series about the life of Shane Warne, which is being filmed in the late cricketer’s home city of Melbourne.
The two-part special, which has not been approved by Warne’s family, tells a dramatised version of the Spin King’s remarkable sporting career and rise to fame, including his marriage to ex-wife Simone Callahan.
Photos taken on Tuesday show actor Alex Williams, playing Warne, taking a stroll alongside actress Marny Kennedy portraying Simone, who appeared to be wearing a prosthetic baby bump.
These are the first on-set photos from Nine’s upcoming limited series about the life of Shane Warne, which is being filmed in the late cricketer’s home city of Melbourne
It comes less than two months after Nine execs were said to be in ‘crisis talks’ over the project, which Warne’s family had labelled ‘disrespectful’. (Pictured: Shane Warne on July 13, 2004)
Shane and Simone’s eldest child, daughter Brooke, was born in 1997, so it’s possible they were filming a scene depicting this chapter of their lives.
But they could also have been shooting a scene from when Simone was pregnant with son Jackson (born in 1999) or younger daughter Summer (born in 2001).
Alex Williams wore a blond wig, a white T-shirt, baggy jean shorts and brown sandals, and carried a grey jumper.
Production on the biopic reportedly began just three weeks after Warne died from natural causes in March at the age of 52. (Pictured: Warne in April 1999)
The two-part special, which has not been approved by Warne’s family, tells a dramatised version of the Spin King’s rise to fame, including his marriage to ex-wife Simone Callahan
Photos taken on Tuesday show actor Alex Williams, playing Warne, taking a stroll alongside the actress (Marny Kennedy) portraying Simone, who appeared to be wearing a prosthetic baby bump (right)
Marny Kennedy wore khaki cargo pants, a white T-shirt and short-sleeved blue work shirt.
She was seen scrolling through her modern phone, which suggests they were taking a break from filming and weren’t actually on camera.
Later in the day, the male actor was seen stepping into his trailer wearing a white shirt and blue shorts, complete with a gold hoop earring.
The actor playing Shane, whose name has not been revealed, wore a blond wig, a white T-shirt, baggy jean shorts and brown sandals, and carried a grey jumper
Shane and Simone’s eldest child, daughter Brooke, was born in 1997, so it’s possible they were filming a scene depicting this chapter of their lives
They could also have been shooting a scene from when Simone was pregnant with son Jackson (born in 1999) or younger daughter Summer (born in 2001)
Several other cast members were seen on location, but it is unclear what roles they are playing.
It comes less than two months after Nine execs were said to be in ‘crisis talks’ over the project, which the cricketing legend’s family had publicly labelled ‘disrespectful’.
Warne’s former manager James Erskine met with the network’s director of television Michael Healy and head of drama Andy Ryan in September on behalf of the family.
Later in the day, the male actor was seen stepping into his trailer wearing a white shirt and blue shorts, complete with a gold hoop earring
Shane was known to wear gold hoop earrings in the ’90s
‘They both guaranteed me that this was going to be a celebration of Shane Warne. I trust them, I trust Healy,’ Erskine told The Herald Sun.
‘Now we know Shane was a colourful character, you can’t get away from that. You can’t sanitise it and suddenly say he is a clergyman.
‘But they have assured me it will be done appropriately. At the end of the day if they do a hatchet job, then the whole world will be watching.’
Several other cast members were seen on location, but it is unclear what roles they are playing
Shane’s eldest daughter Brooke, 24, previously called Nine’s announcement of a telemovie based on her father ‘beyond disrespectful’.
‘Do any of you have any respect for dad? Or his family?’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘He did so much for Channel Nine and now you want to dramatise his life and our family’s life six months after he passed away? You are beyond disrespectful.’
The network has billed the production, titled Warnie, as a ‘must-see drama event’ that will be shown over two nights.
Shane’s eldest daughter Brooke, 24, previously called Nine’s announcement of a telemovie based on her father ‘beyond disrespectful’. (Pictured: Warne in Sydney on January 2, 2007)
‘This will be the fitting tribute to one of the greatest Australians of all time, the Aussie larrikin who lived and loved large,’ a Nine spokesperson said.
‘Shane Warne was an Aussie legend, a cultural icon, a cricketing genius, a charmer and a rogue. “Warnie” transcended cricket.
‘Like all great characters, he inspired extreme reactions from people from all walks of life, in Australia and around the world.’
An unknown actor is understood to have landed the starring role, while an actress playing Warne’s ex-girlfriend Liz Hurley (pictured) is also set to appear in the telemovie
Production on the biopic reportedly began just three weeks after the Spin King died from natural causes in March at the age of 52.
An unknown actor is understood to have landed the starring role, while an actress playing Warne’s ex-girlfriend Liz Hurley is also set to appear in the telemovie.
Warne spent 23 years as a commentator for Nine’s cricket coverage and had close ties with former owners Kerry and James Packer and ex-CEO David Gyngell.
Warne (pictured in 2005) spent 23 years as a commentator for Nine’s cricket coverage and had close ties with former owners Kerry and James Packer and ex-CEO David Gyngell
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