The Stag is not the Irish Hangover, says one of the film’s lead actors, Andrew Scott.

“It’s similar in subject matter, but this is very dissimilar in tone,” he says. “It was a strong, witty script…It’s not lots of people tied to lampposts. It’s about male friendships, we didn’t want it to be laddy. It’s also a movie that women can watch.”

Novelist John Butler makes his feature directorial debut with the comedy about a mild-mannered groom going on a stag party with his sensitive friends and his wife-to-be’s obnoxious brother.

Not that it’s overly dramatic at the expense of comedy – as Scott notes one crucial scene between the actors was shot early on. “We got naked on the first day, so we were bonded.”

The Stag is produced by Treasure Entertainment and backed by the Irish Film Board; Metro International handles sales. “It’s a different kind of Irish movie, it’s about modern Irish guys, not the famine or the Troubles,” Scott adds.

As reported by Screen, Arrow has taken UK-Ireland rights to the film. “It’s a real vote of confidence,” Scott notes of the deal done ahead of the Toronto world premiere tonight.

Scott, who is famous globally for his BAFTA-winning role as Moriarty in TV hit Sherlock, also stars in another Irish film shooting now - Ken Loach’s Jimmy’s Hall.

Jimmy’s Hall is about Irish communist leader Jimmy Gralton in the1930s - the only Irishman every deported from the country.

“It’s the most amazing atmosphere on set. I’m thrilled,” Scott says of the Loach film. He leaves Toronto on Thursday and resumes shooting the film on Friday. Sixteen Films is producing with partners Element Pictures, Why Not and Wild Bunch and the project is shooting in counties Leitrim and Sligo, Ireland. Barry Ward plays the title role.

He also is in the voice cast of Locke, as one of the people calling Tom Hardy’s character in the real-time thriller. Hardy was filmed in the car while the phone characters like Scott’s phoned in live from a hotel room during the night shoots.

“Because you didn’t have a camera in your face, I felt really free. And we were allowed to do a little riffing. My character brings the comic relief, so I was trying to make Tom laugh,” he recalls.

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