Michael Flatley 'thrilled' as directorial debut gets cinema release after four years

Watch the trailer for Blackbird

Riverdance star Michael Flatley's directorial debut is finally headed to cinemas — four years after its premiere.

Blackbird — which the Lord Of The Dance star wrote, directed and stars in — was unveiled at London’s Raindance Film Festival in 2018 and little has been heard of it since then.

But fans will soon have the opportunity to see the film, which is about a troubled spy.

Read more: Riverdance returns to Dublin after two-year pandemic hiatus

Flatley announced on Instagram that it would be released in cinemas in Ireland from 2 September, and a UK release on the same date has also now been confirmed by Wildcard Distribution.

He said he was delighted that it was finally being unveiled, although sad his late mother would never get to see it.

“I’m thrilled to be releasing Blackbird in cinemas across Ireland," he said.

"The pandemic has brought about many unprecedented production delays, but we’re finally there.

"As well as filming on location in Barbados and the UK, we filmed many scenes in Ireland, so premiering here was always the first choice. There’s nothing more breath-taking than the Irish landscape.”

The film, which also stars Eric Roberts and Patrick Bergin, follows a troubled secret agent who abruptly retires and opens a club in the Caribbean, before an old flame arrives and shakes everything up.

Flatley, 63, said: "I was surrounded on set by great talent in Eric Roberts, Ian Beattie, Patrick Bergin, Nicole Evans and Mary Louise Kelly. Sinéad O’Connor who recorded the most beautiful track for the outro, is truly one of Ireland’s treasures."

The dancer thanked everyone involved in the movie and all those who are bringing it to cinema audiences.

"We’ve all put a lot into this project, and for me it’s very personal," he said.

Read more: Lord Of The Dance dazzles crowd into double standing ovation

"This was a new endeavour for me professionally and something I’ve always wanted to do. My mother, when she was alive, always encouraged me to pursue this dream. Sadly, she will never get to see it, but I know she is watching over me.”

Flatley is best known for dance shows such as Riverdance and Lord Of The Dance, which started in the 90s and went on to be hugely successful.

Watch: Move over Michael Flatley - this Irish dancing dinosaur is the true Lord Of The Dance