An offbeat black comedy starring American actor Sam Rockwell is setting up for a summer shoot in London.

We spoke to the writer/director about the upcoming film.

Blue Iguana is very much the brainchild of British writer/director Hadi Hajaig.

He wrote the screenplay a few years ago, and today described to us how he sees the venture: “It’s a film with a playful naive spirit, harkening back to films such as Demme’s classic film Something Wild, which had an amazing colourful indie vibe and a free-flowing plot with strong characters at the heart of it.”

The director is delighted with the lead casting. Although finance for Blue Iguana was already in place, to land Rockwell was a coup. Hajaig told us: “To have a great actor like Sam Rockwell react positively to the script was outstanding for the film. I can’t wait to get on set and start working with him – it’s a privilege to work with an actor of his high calibre.”

As for filming in London, the director is equally enthusiastic, as he outlined to us. “London is my favourite place to shoot and the London we are aiming for is slightly off the beaten track in keeping with the film’s colourful vibe, so I’m really looking forward to bringing that aspect to the film.”

Shooting is set to begin on the feature, which comes from The UK Film Studio, in the capital in July, with UK HoDs already boarding the project. The producers are Hajaig and LA-based Tom Lassally.

PI subscribers should log in for more on the film, including the location manager and produciton designer, and follow the project for updates as specifics are locked down.

Non-subscribers can click here for a free demo of PI, during which they will be shown remotely around the site.

Sam Rockwell picture via Getty Images/WireImage/Adela Loconte.