That sounds exciting, domino, another film for Damien and what a cast (I'm saying that as someone who rates neither Hoult or Macfadyen)! The role doesn't have to be major to be important, after all.

It will be electric to see him in something with Cumberbatch (sorry, just couldn't resist).

 

The role is probably to do with a murderer called Kemmler, who was electrocuted (may have been the first).  I think Bourke Cockran was his legal representative and wanted to make sure the death would be quick. He thought it could be deemed 'cruel and unusual' otherwise and therefore illegal. Edison was asked to testify. If that's it then yes, it will be a small part but it was a very important case in the ac/dc wars.

-- Edited by EllieForster on Thursday 2nd of March 2017 03:30:41 PM

Interestingly he doesn't make it into iMDB's cast list which runs to 30 people - I wonder how they decide on that, especially as at least one person there is listed as "uncredited"?! Sounds like it should be a pretty high profile film which has got to be a good thing.

Well I learned something there, thanks!

Oh I hope it's not a blink and you miss it role! Lol. But coolness. With that cast, it's sure to be a hit globally. Oh, besides all his past co-stars, I see one of his drama buddies on the list. Oliver Powell who he tweeted about once running 3 marathons in a row or something like that. 

There is of course the additionally exciting prospect of seeing Damien in period costume again.

It is impossible not to make connections to Ripper Street - not only former co-star, but Damien's special ep, S2 Ep4 'Dynamite and a woman', was all about the AC / DC wars.

We can already see how well Damien suits 19th century clothing!!

Here is a lot more info on the historical facts of the 'War of currents' via Wikipedia.

It looks as it Bourke Conchran became involved during a case relating to the electric chair (grim!) - which had become a major factor in the battle between AC / DC and their relative 'safeties'. It seems likely that this element of the larger battle will then appear in the film!

 

That spring Brown published "The Comparative Danger to Life of the Alternating and Continuous Electrical Current" detailing the animal experiments done at Edison's lab and claiming they showed AC was far deadlier then DC.^[94] This 61-page professionally printed booklet (probably paid for by the Edison company) was sent to government officials, newspapers, and businessmen in towns with populations greater than 5000 inhabitants.^[74]

In May 1889 when New York had its first criminal sentenced to be executed in the electric chair, a street merchant named William Kemmler, there was a great deal of discussion in the editorial column of the New York Times as to what to call the then-new form of execution. The term "Westinghoused" was put forward as well as "Gerrycide" (after death penalty commission head Elbridge Gerry), and "Browned".^[95] The Times hated the word that was eventually adopted, electrocution, describing it as being pushed forward by "pretentious ignoramuses".^[96] One of Edison's lawyers wrote to his colleague expressing an opinion that Edison's preference for dynamort, ampermort and electromort were not good terms but thought Westinghoused was the best choice.^[97]

The Kemmler appeal[edit]

William Kemmler was sentenced to die in the electric chair around June 24, 1889, but before the sentence could be carried out an appeal was filed on the grounds that it constituted cruel and unusual punishment under the US Constitution. It became obvious to the press and everyone involved that the politically connected (and expensive) lawyer who filed the appeal, William Bourke Cockran, had no connection to the case but did have connection to the Westinghouse company, obviously paying for his services.^[98]

During fact-finding hearings held around the state beginning on July 9 in New York City, Cockran used his considerable skills as a cross-examiner and orator to attack Brown, Edison, and their supporters. His strategy was to show that Brown had falsified his test on the killing power of AC and to prove that electricity would not cause certain death and simply lead to torturing the condemned. In cross examination he questioned Brown's lack of credentials in the electrical field and brought up possible collusion between Brown and Edison, which Brown again denied. Many witnesses were called by both sides to give firsthand anecdotal accounts on encounters with electricity and evidence was given by medical professionals on the human body's nervous system and the electrical conductivity of skin. Brown was accused of fudging his tests on animals, hiding the fact that he was using lower amperage DC and high amperage AC.^[99] When the hearing convened for a day at Edison's West Orange lab to witness demonstrations of skin resistance to electricity, Brown almost got in a fight with a Westinghouse representative, accusing him of being in the Edison laboratory to conduct industrial espionage.^[100] Newspapers noted the often contradictory testimony was raising public doubts about the electrocution law but after Edison took the stand many accepted assurances from the "wizard of Menlo Park" that 1000 volts of AC would easily kill any man.^[101]

After the gathered testimony was submitted and the two sides presented their case, Judge Edwin Day ruled against Kemmler's appeal on October 9 and US Supreme Court denied Kemmler's appeal on May 23, 1890.^[102]

Yes exactly Rosie and also how scary it must have been to the general public.. a factor that will surely appear in this film. Perhaps these two competitors will use scaremongering tactics against their rival's chosen form of electricity?

This is huuuge! Damien always surprises us. Working with big names will always be a good thing for him. I like the sound of "likely Oscar prospect". Already imagining Damien on the red carpet I can't wait! I don't know how big part he has in this but maybe, perhaps and hopefully it would bring him nomination for the best supporting actor... just maybe

After Tiger Raid my hopes have been up (and especially afte NML) that Damien will have screentime but this is actually really big thing. Maybe this time, finally, I will be able to see him on the big screen (if NT live doesn't count) since Tiger Raid didn't hit the cinemas here. There is no info about this yet but I will be checking it out. I guess I have to wait till summer until we have more news about the cinema release here.

 

Jozie, fingers crossed you finally get to see Damien on the big screen in your country, it seems likely for all the reasons you've given!

Lol! You're totally right fifi, but this is def no bad thing in this case!

I really, really want to start hearing more about this film (and Damien's role!)

The December release date is really quite soon in the world of filmmaking - exciting!

Everything I read about this makes me more and more eager to see it! Sounds totally up my street and can't wait to see Damien in Victorian gear again!

The character William Kemmler has been added to The Current War IMDb page - played by Conor MacNeill. So, the electric chair story will be in the film and it seems that will be how Damien appears as Bourke Cochran! (two Irish actors!)

More release news: as we know the USA release is 22 December, the IMDb page has the UK release for 5 January 2018.