By Iain Blair

Sat down with Woody Harrelson the other day to discuss his new film The Grand. Set in the world of professional poker, it follows six players who reach the final table of the world’s second most famous high stakes tournament, and co-stars Ray Romano, Dennis Farina, Cheryl Hines and legendary German film director Werner Herzog. Woody’s reputation definitely precedes him – hemp and marijuana enthusiast, vegetarian and eco-nut, Oscar-nominated actor and all-around nice guy. You can now add accomplished poker player to the list. “I really got into it, and the whole film was improvised,” he told me. The star seems to be everywhere these days. He was in the Oscar hit No Country For Old Men, Semi-Pro, and now this. Next up? “I want to direct this comedy I’ve written,” he says. “It’s set entirely in Ireland, there’s a lot of slapstick in it, and I’m going to call it Fitzie after the main character, Fitzgerald Fitzsimon. I think I’ve learned a lot about directing over the years and studying guys like Oliver Stone, but we’ll see.” The first-time director hopes to start shooting later this summer.

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