Express & Star

Shifnal man stars in Hollywood film

The axe he is more used to wielding is a guitar.

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Grant Pritchard

But in a new Hollywood Blockbuster, Shifnal man Grant Pritchard will be seen wielding something a bit more heavy duty.

He can currently be seen, if only briefly, in the new film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

Exactly two years ago 25-year-old Grant was in the Snowdonia National Park filming scenes for the movie, the latest by director Guy Ritchie, which came out last Friday.

Its big star is 37-year-old Charlie Hunnam, famous for roles in cult-classic Queer as Folk, series Sons of Anarchy and film Pacific Rim.

And during filming, Grant even managed to snatch a few moments to talk with the star.

During filming, despite only appearing as an extra, he was snapped walking down a hillside with Hunnam in a break after a scene.

Grant, a manager at Prego in Shrewsbury and a regular performer around the county and beyond with band Grant Pritchard Trio, he said: “It was a really great experience that I was thankful to be a part of.”

Now living in Shrewsbury, he said he really enjoyed the chance to be in the film

He said: “I was a member of a casting agency for a long time and got asked to be an extra in King Arthur.

“It seemed like a great idea and a good excuse to head to Snowdonia, where it was filmed.

“It was a brilliant experience and I hadn’t done anything like it before.”

He said he enjoyed the chance to mingle with the big stars of the film, which also features legendary footballer David Beckham, A-lister Jude Law and Game of Thrones’ Aidan Gillen.

He said: “Charlie Hunnam was a very down to earth and approachable person

“I’d seen him in the series Sons of Anarchy so it was great to see him act in front of the camera.

“He and the rest of the cast were great to watch on set, I was just taking the whole thing in as I found it really interesting.

“You could tell how professional and hard working they are.”

Grant says he has already been to see the film, and though he appears only briefly, he enjoyed the experience.

He said: "I went to watch it at Cineworld in Telford this Wednesday. I managed to spot myself at the end. I think possibly one of the scenes had been cut.”

The show has been out in the US for a week and has made a disappointing start at the box office, launched to a worldwide total of $43.8m (£33.8m), with the film’s total production budget of $175m (£135.8m).

But now it has come to British screens, it is hoped to pick up a few more fans.

Grant says it is just the start of his time on screen.

He added: “I haven’t done much since but I’m playing a small part in a war film that was made by the BBC, I believe.”

And he will certainly be found performing his own music, with dates in the coming weeks in Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.

Upcoming dates for Grant’s band can be found at grantpritchardmusic.com/shows