The Finnish born Harlin was in Berlin to promote another war movie - Georgia, about the 2008 Russian invasion of the former Soviet state, starring Andy Garcia - and his presence steered interest in Mannerheim. The Finnish historical film was originally supposed to start shooting a year ago but had to be postponed due to last minute financial difficulties. Based on a script by Heikki Vihinen and Marko Leino, Mannerheim features the life of the iconic Finnish war Marshal and statesman C.G.E. Mannerheim (1867-1951).
32 year-old Finnish actor Mikko Nousiainen (photo) will play Mannerheim and casting of the rest of the international crew will start within the next couple of months, according to Selin. The film produced by Selin and Jukka Helle for Solar Films' sub-company Liberty Production, will now be co-produced by Germany's Global United Entertainment, Hungary's HCC Media, Poland's Donten & Lacroix and Iceland's Kisi Production. The Finnish premiere is pencilled for September 2011.