Joe Locke has been tapped to star in the new gay romance movie Heartstopper, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The romantic film will be based on the book of the same name by Dee Emmerson, which revolves around a teenager who comes out during his last year of high school. Locke will play Charlie Spring, a year 10 student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed after he posted an intimate photo of himself and his boyfriend online, revealing their relationship status to the rest of his class and school. Joe Locke Is Heartstopper In New Gay Romance Movie
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A Note From Director Dan Clark
I was so impressed with Joe’s performance as Charlie in our first film, The Unloved that I wanted to work with him again. So I created a role especially for him. We’re very excited about Heartstopper, which features one of my favourite on-screen couples of all time—Charlie and Tom (played by Richard Gunn). When people come to see our films they expect reality. My characters are straight from real life; my love stories actually happen.
About The Cast And Crew
Out-and-proud actor Joe Locke (known for his roles in queer films such as Take A Chance and 2 Men and a Baby) plays 18-year-old Charlie Spring, a student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed after he kissed his boyfriend on school grounds. He is determined to hide his sexuality from those around him, but when one of his teachers figures it out, all hell breaks loose.
Meet Joe Locke aka Charlie Spring
Joe Locke is a British actor best known for his roles in Silent Witness, Law & Order UK and upcoming movie Heartstopper. He stars as Charlie Spring, a year 10 student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed by his boyfriend. The film will open to limited release on February 24th 2018 in both North America and Europe. If you are interested in viewing it then keep an eye out for locations/dates to be added soon!
The Story
Heartstopper is a heartwarming, gay teen romance movie starring Joe Locke as Charles Charlie Spring, a year 10 student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed by his high school rugby teammates. After being bullied and harassed on social media, Charlie becomes depressed. But he soon learns that a heart attack can come from emotional stress as well as physical damage.
My Thoughts on the Film
Filmed on location in Oxfordshire, England and based on a short story by Max Porter. The film tells a coming-of-age love story between Joe Locke as Charles Charlie Spring, a year 10 student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed by his friend. Charlie’s first relationship is with another boy from school named Zac, played by Cal Jardine and together they experience what it is like to be young and fall in love for the first time.
Joe Locke – The Actor
Joe Locke is an American actor who is known for his roles in television and theater. He started his career by playing numerous small roles in films like Moonrise Kingdom, Argo, and Lincoln. Since then, he has played several more significant supporting characters such as Joe, Casey’s father, in 2 Broke Girls; and FBI Agent Dennis Abbott on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Recently, Joe will be appearing in Bryan Singer’s X-Men movie sequel as Charles ‘Charlie’ Spring a year 10 student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed as gay.
Charlie – The Character
Charles ‘Charlie’ Spring (Joe Locke) is a year 10 student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed, causing him to suffer horrific homophobic bullying and verbal abuse. Charlie, who once had it all: popularity, friends and an attractive girlfriend in Mandy (Jessie Cave), has suddenly found himself with no one in his corner. His friends are now enemies, his parents won’t listen to a word he says and school authorities don’t take any action when he reports being beaten up for being gay. With nowhere else to turn, Charlie finds solace in online chat rooms where he meets Michael (Ed Gaughan), who turns out to be his opposite number at another school in London. Together they form an unlikely but deep bond that gives them both hope.
Storyline – What the film is about
Joe Locke stars as Charles Charlie Spring, a year 10 student at Truham Grammar School who was recently outed on Facebook. His parents haven’t spoken to him since and even his best friends have gone quiet. Unable to take any more bullying, Charlie decides to end it all…but will he be able to go through with it? There are other distractions: Adam Green (Rupert Evans), one of Charlie’s former tormentors has started making peace gestures which may open up new possibilities for Charlie… but then there is Will (Jack Davenport), a down-to-earth motorcycle courier who falls for Charlie hard; a love interest that could easily become something more meaningful if only life wasn’t so complicated.
Director – Chris Shimojima
Australian filmmaker Chris Shimojima has been following Joe since 2013 with his 2012 short film The Island of Secrets, which starred Joe and actress Myanna Buring. They were happy to work with Chris again on his new gay romance drama Heartstopper. I met Chris at an American Film Market back in 2013 and he was so passionate about making a movie about a gay character that I couldn’t say no! says Joe. It’s so important for people to see a film like this one day, as it sends out an inspiring message, especially for kids growing up who are struggling or don’t feel like they belong. I want to help other LGBTQ youth realize it gets better and we can do great things.
Producers – Chris Shimojima and Gary Howsam
Howsam and Shimojima are veteran producers. Their most recent project was directing David Hyde Pierce in a star-making turn as Tim, an out-of-work actor who has trouble speaking to other people in his new film, Prayers for Bobby. The two were also integral in pulling off a rare feat: bringing together Oliver Stone (who wrote and directed) and Meryl Streep (who stars) for their last project, W., about our 43rd President. Howsam and Shimojima co-produced with Barry Levinson (Oscar winner of Rain Man). Prior to that, they produced Don Roos’ film Happy Endings which starred Julia Roberts and Lisa Kudrow.
Cinematographer – Eikoh Hosoe
Hosoe has worked with a number of notable directors in his career, including Yuzo Kawashima and Teruo Ishii. He started his career at Shochiku’s studio in 1954 before moving on to become freelance and shooting a number of features. In 1960 he became a director himself and went on to make over 15 movies, mostly based on novels by writers such as Yasunari Kawabata. He also directed television dramas and variety shows. Hosoe is best known for his work as cinematographer, which he has been doing since 1958’s Godzilla. Later in his career he won an award for cinematography at 1979’s Yokohama Film Festival for The Woman Who Came to Me (1978).
Cast – Other actors in the movie.
Jay Camilleri as Max Walker, Charlie’s best friend and fellow student at Truham Grammar School; Henry A. Wilson as Michael Walters, Charlie’s boyfriend and a former student at Truham Grammar School; Melissa Nettifee as Pam Logan, a year 11 student at Truham Grammar School and member of Trixie McSpooner; Adam Lee Hall (actor) as Mr. Moulding, Charlie’s history teacher; Nathan Jones (actor) as Mr. Perkins, a year 12 student at Truham Grammar School who played rugby union with Charlie when he was a first-year student.