Mark Miller backs plans for Montrose cinema

A BESTSELLING comic book writer and hit movie maker has given his backing to plans for a new Scottish cinema.

The £4.2 million cinema, Montrose Playhouse Project

Mark Miller, the brains behind the Kick-Ass and other top Marvel creations, has become the patron of the plan to transform an old swimming pool into a high-tech cinema in Montrose, Angus.

The comic book genius has given his full backing to the project which needs to raise £4.2 million to demolish the pool and create the new four-screen cinema.

The group behind the plan discovered their local famous connection through his cousin who lives in the area.

He has written a host of best-selling comics including Kick-Ass, Wanted, Superior and The Secret Service.

Kick-Ass and its sequel, Wanted and The Secret Service, renamed Kingsman: The Secret Service, have all been adapted into movies, while Superior is currently being filmed.

His landmark series for Marvel Comic Civil War is currently being filmed as the new Captain America while his series The Ultimates helped inspire the Avengers movies.

Mark has been an Executive Producer on all his movie adaptations and is currently creative consultant to Fox Studios on their Marvel slate of movies, which includes the X-Men and the forthcoming Deadpool.

David Paton from the Montrose Playhouse Project said the writer became involved when they were collecting items for their “Moscars” Oscar-night fundraising event.

“I was having coffee with my friend Patricia Winton and she mentioned her cousin was a graphic novelist and then mentioned his name, which I knew from Kick-Ass,” he said.

“I asked if he could maybe donate a signed book, which he agreed to do and then Patricia said we should suggest becoming patron.”

Yesterday the group announced that Mark Millar has signed on to become patron of the campaign.

A statement said: “We are delighted to announce that Mr Mark Millar, the bestselling writer of the Kick Ass series and Wanted has agreed to be our first Patron of the Montrose Playhouse Project.

“Mark has links to Montrose as well as family living here and was delighted to be asked to a part of our venture.”

Mr Millar has already helped judged a design competition for a new mural that will be created at the cinema.

Mr Paton added: “In both the Marvel and DC universes he is an absolutely huge character and to have his experiences and contacts helping us will be hugely beneficial.

“He has links to the town because he used to come here as a boy so it is great that he is helping us.”

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