Worldwide clamour to see Duncan Edwards film
"I always knew Duncan Edwards was a massive role model in the Black Country, but didn't know he was such a big name abroad as well."
Those are the words of a filmmaker who created a short film about the Dudley-born football legend.
The Boy Who Had It All is the brainchild of Marcus Distant, with scenes shot at the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Cemetery.
Edwards, 21, was one of the ‘Busby Babes’ United team who died after the Munich air crash in 1958, which claimed the lives of 23 people.
The film's premiere was at Old Trafford on what would have been the star's 81st birthday.
And Mr Distant has big plans for the film in the new year, hoping to screen it at various film festivals, while a group of United fans from Northern Ireland are hoping to rent out a cinema to show it on the big screen.
He said: "There is a plan to hold a private screening in Northern Ireland after I was contacted by fans from over there who want to have a private showing.
"I also want to get to as many film festivals as possible – including Cannes, which is the big one, Manchester, Raindance in London and also LA if I can.
"We're also hoping to do a West Midlands screening at Dudley Archives on February 6, which will be 60 years after the Munich air crash.
"Originally I came up with the idea for the community, to help my career and also kids from the Black Country get into acting."
"I didn't expect it to get as big as it has done – I've had people contacting me from Greece, Turkey, Malaysia, Australia and Hong Kong, asking if it going to be in cinemas there.
"It's amazing really. I always knew Duncan Edwards was a massive role model in the Black Country, but didn't know he was such a big name abroad as well.
"It's definitely not just the Black Country, he impacted a lot of people across the world."
Among the young cast members is 11-year-old Ben Avery from Oldbury who plays a childhood friend of Edwards named Thomas.
Ella George, from Burntwood, was cast in the role of Molly Leech – a fictionalised child version of Edwards’ real-lifaylie girlfriend.
Ollie Greenham, 14, from Solihull, plays Todd, the film’s bully.
Among the adult cast members is 32-year-old Jayne Turpin, from Walsall, playing Duncan’s mother, Annie.
In the role of Duncan for much of the film is Cameron Hay, 13, from Bedworth.
Mr Distant spent more than a year conducting in-depth research about the Manchester United and England player’s life.
He also has his own personal connection to the iconic footballer, as Edwards once babysat for his uncle John Ball and other members of the family.
