‘First time anything exciting has happened here’ – Grangemouth catches Pitt fever

A BATTERED and smashed campervan seems an unlikely mode of transport for one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, but yesterday it was Brad Pitt’s carriage for the day as shooting continued on World War Z.

The focus for filming shifted from Glasgow, where the presence of Pitt and the production team in George Square had drawn hundreds of onlookers, to the industrial backdrop of Grangemouth in Central Scotland, where scenes were shot around the petrochemical works that dominate the town.

The film is based on Max Brooks’ 2006 novel World War Z: An Oral History Of The Zombie War, set in the aftermath of a zombie holocaust, and is due to be released next year.

The appearance of the film crew and zombie extras in Grangemouth prompted more than 100 fans to crowd around the set trying to catch a glimpse of the star.

Resident David Gracie, 21, described the scene: “There were about 150 people standing around watching, but the set has been pretty heavily screened off, so there wasn’t much to see.

“I think most people were aware of what had been going on over in Glasgow, so there’s been a real buzz in the town.

“It’s the first time I think something like this has ever happened here, so people are pretty excited.”

On Saturday, Pitt took time out from filming in a disused supermarket in the Cardonald area of Glasgow to pose for photographs with a local boys football team and to sign autographs for fans.