Pitt-stop brings slice of America to Glasgow

A quiet revolution was under way in Glasgow’s George Square yesterday – but the nasal whine of one spectator remained pure Clydeside: “Oi where’s Brad?”

The news that Brad Pitt was coming to Glasgow to film scenes from his new £120 million movie, World War Z, in which he endeavours to save the world from an onslaught of flesh-eating zombies, has sparked the interest of much of the city, including Jane Taylor, who although disappointed that he had not yet arrived, is now relishing the prospect of Mr Pitt swaggering through the streets of her home town.

“Aye cannae wait, Here in Glasgow, him? Fantastic. I’ll be here on Wednesday morning to see him.”

Unfortunately Ms Taylor, 59, a former nanny, said she’d have to see him in the flesh as she would be too frightened to watch the finished film. “It’s a horror movie, with zombies, first I’d need to get myself a big strong man to cuddle up to.”

Yesterday, the transformation of Glasgow’s George Square and the surrounding streets into a cinematic representation of Philadelphia was under way. American street signs were erected, American cars driven in and a series of US style pedestrian crossings painted in place.

Over the next two weeks a major sequence of the movie will be filmed in which the citizens of Philadelphia flee from a rampage of zombies.

A series of car crashes are set to take place at the corner of George Square and Brad Pitt’s character, Gerry Lane, a UN expert seeking an antidote to the zombie epidemic, will flee for his life.

The film, which is directed by Marc Forster, who made Quantum of Solace, is expected to pour more than £2m into the local economy with hundreds of local people brought in as extras for the crowd scenes, when filming beginstomorrow morning.

Among the many members of the public taking the opportunity to pose for pictures beside the American automobiles was Rosie McClune and Nicola Mason, both 25 and musicians.

Leaning against a black and white Philadelphia police car emblazoned with the motto: “Honor, Integrity, Service”, Ms McClune said: “It’s so exciting, it reminds me of when we went to New York.”

Ms Mason auditioned along with her boyfriend for one of the hundreds of roles, either as a lurching brain-famished zombie, or a terrified commuter, but failed to secure a role as an extra which is reportedly paying £150 per day.

“It’s a pity, it would have been great, but we’re still going to come down to see Brad.” The girls’ favourite Brad Pitt movie was Thelma & Louise – “Anything as long as he gets his top off.”

In an e-mail exchange with The Scotsman, Max Brooks, the author of the novel on which the film is based, said it was creepy to see Glasgow transformed into what started as a figment of his imagination. “Creepy to say the least. I started writing about zombies because they scare the hell out of me. Now my nightmares are coming to life? Weird.”

Mr Brooks, who will be flying into Scotland to watch the filming later this month, said he had fond memories of the country from previously working on a BBC documentary about the mountain rescue service.

“I remember how friendly the Scots were, and how nothing feels as good as a shot of scotch.”

He joked that sending Brad Pitt to the city was “the least I could do” and when asked what characteristics he thought a Scottish zombie would possess, replied: “I wouldn’t want to tangle with one, I can tell you that.”

The arrival of a big budget Hollywood movie has also delighted local businesses. At Fressh in Cochrane Street, the owner Nigel Glover said: “Everyone has just been so polite and helpful.” While round the corner at the Metro sandwich bar the staff have already invested in Brad Pitt T-shirts that declare: “We love Brad” and created a new sandwich in his honour.

Gillian Anderson, the owner explained it was a panini with cheddar and chorizo sausage with salsa. “It’s hot and spicy, just like Brad,” she said.