A new Guy Ritchie film is about to premiere and Liverpool has a starring role

A new Guy Ritchie heist film is about to premiere this Friday (May 23) and Liverpool locations are playing a starring role.

Fountain of Youth, which is coming to Apple TV+, stars John Krasinski – who’s probably best known for the US version of The Office and as Jack Ryan – and Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman.

They play estranged siblings who are trying to piece together historical facts in the hope of finding a mythical spring that’s the source of eternal youth.

The Indiana Jones-style action adventure plotline sees treasure hunter Luke and his sister Charlotte heading off on a quest around the globe, from Vienna to the pyramids in Egypt, as they follow clues across five continents.

Fountain of Youth began filming at the beginning of last year, wrapping up in October, and chose Liverpool as one of its locations.

Working with Liverpool Film Office, the cast and crew set up at three main sites in the city centre to shoot scenes in May: around St George’s Hall, along William Brown Street outside the World Museum and Central Library, on Dale Street and Exchange Flags where a temporary funfair was created.

Liverpool was used to double as London, and its two stars could be spotted around the city, including posing for photos with fans outside Hope Street Hotel.

Many familiar locations appear even in the trailer for the movie, so eagle-eyed viewers will be able to recognise them.

One of the most action-packed sequences involves a high-speed car chase which was filmed around Exchange Street East and on William Brown Street. 

The stretch of road at the side of St George’s Hall, outside the Walker and World Museum, was sealed off as Natalie Portman in the passenger seat and John Krasinski alongside her screeched along in a blue vintage convertible sports car.

There was also a stunt double substituted for the chase scene, who was seen behind the wheel wearing a Krasinski mask and identical three-piece corduroy suit.

Star Wars and Black Swan actress Natalie Portman told Entertainment Weekly that the locations and the stunt left a big impression.

She said:

“I’d never been to Cairo or Vienna before and was blown away by both cities — some of the most special places I’ve ever been.

“We also had a crazy chase sequence we shot in Liverpool, which was some really wild car work, and an incredible sunken ship sequence we shot on stage in London. It was always an epic day with wild stunts and scenarios to tackle.”

Find out more about Fountain of Youth here.

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