From Westeros to Philippines: Iain Glen joins ‘Quezon’ cast

From Westeros to Philippines: Iain Glen joins â��Quezonâ�� cast

‘Game of Thrones’ actor Ian Glen (left) will portray Leonard Wood, a United States Army major who served as governor-general of the Philippines, in the historical biopic about Manuel L. Quezon, the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth. The film is directed by Jerrold Tarog (right) and produced by TBA Studios.

MANILA, Philippines — Scottish actor Iain Glen, best known for his role as Jorah Mormont in the megahit HBO show “Game of Thrones,” has been officially cast in the upcoming historical biopic “Quezon.”

Glen will portray Leonard Wood, a United States Army major who served as governor-general of the Philippines and played a significant role in Manuel L. Quezon’s fight for Philippine independence from American rule.

The actor recently joined the film’s cast and crew for a script reading at the Manila Hotel, marking the start of his involvement in the latest chapter of TBA Studios’ “Bayaniverse,” which previously brought to life Filipino heroes in such films as “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”

Directed and co-written by Jerrold Tarog, “Quezon” is expected to follow the life and legacy of Filipino lawyer and soldier Manuel L. Quezon, who served as the president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. Jericho Rosales is set to take on the titular role.

The cast also includes Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo, Benjamin Alves as a younger Quezon, Karylle Yuzon as Aurora Quezon and other notable actors.

“(Iain Glen) has gravitas. But at the same time, he can let loose, which is important for the role of Leonard Wood,” Tarog expressed his excitement over Glen’s casting. “His presence makes the film much more alive.”

TBA Studios president and COO Daphne Chiu, meanwhile, also emphasized the film’s scale and ambition.

“This film is shaping up to be one of the biggest productions in Philippine cinema, with one of the largest casts ever assembled,” Chiu said. “We are very honored to have Iain Glen in Quezon and look forward to showcasing Filipino artistry on a global scale.”

The project has gained support from several Philippine government agencies, including the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) — which has pledged funding — and the Department of Tourism. Additionally, the QCinema Film Foundation has extended its backing for the film.

Production for “Quezon” is set to commence this March and is expected to be released in both local and international cinemas later this year.