Well what is of interest to safely update you all. I guess the defining moment for me was the green light for the film’s budget was assured by the film lawyer and accountants and 2 years of prep can be put into a real shoot that is really happening. So pleased for the crew involved in this and particular the director Jon Baird who along with Stefan Haller have done so much behind getting this to about to happen.

The real work has already started as I am as good as introduced to the full production crew out on a location drive by. This can unexpectedly be interesting as when you see a film you always wonder what pub was that they used in this and that film, I remember the cult classic A Clockwork Orange like everyone knew it was part of the Thamesmead estate, south London which was shot for that but can anyone remember the other estate that was used in that cult classic, the journey got me thinking back to my blink if you miss part in the big footie movie of 2005, Green Street when they had that big off outside Manchester Piccadilly station which was really Fenchurch station being filmed as the location. So going out with the production crew short listing set locations was a blinding insight that had me wondering how they gonna turnout when we actually go to shoot come filming day this trip visiting the possible locations also served me another reminder its happening.

It’s very hard for me to keep this diary firing as its all behind the scenes stuff and fucking amazing to those closely involved, but it brings home to me personally how I realise and appreciate how hard it is to get a real movie made and out on the silver screen.

Do take a look at the cast list its fuckin awesome. I know that you guys know my story and that I know some of you are all so much part of my story. But these are fuckin actors that are going to do this, you know the other people (the nice people). So you know I am lookin at them differently as I get introduced to them, I am looking beyond the handshake and thinking is this cos it’s the next job their agent got them to sign up for. This film I cannot begin to tell you what it means to me, so I will have suspicions. So to see whether they got beyond the infamous part of my life that I am never gonna deny I wanna know if they are seeing that there is a story here that’s bigger than the Cass/ICF thing. And I am straight with them, not always straight away as I choose my moments but I will ask them each on their own exactly why they really wanna do this movie and what they see in the script of the story. I not being flash with these amazing actors because its more the case I have to pitch myself that this is happening because of all the story’s out there to pick as a film, why mine. But big respect to these professional actors they get the bigger picture of what the director wants to do and they really do buy into the story that is just asking to be put across on screen. What’s more they are all bang up for it and if you think I am buzzing you should have seen actors Nonso Anozie (Cass), Leo Gregory (Freeman) and young Gavin Brocker (Prentice) buzzing and rocking away at the Mean Fiddler, Tottenham Court road when a firm and half of West Ham rolled into town for the Cockney Rejects live gig, a return of a band who hadn’t played in the west end since their riot torn gigs of the ‘80s. Its research material when you need it for acting that you are never gonna find at a football match today, you want 70’s and 80’s, you want to taste the period mood of those times go join the Rejects live.

There was a right few characters that were lively that night and even more lively back in the day, one such character with me would have been who John Harris (Jimmer) would have played until commitments elsewhere clashed with this films schedule and he has had to give the role of Jimmer up. Tell you what I watched this fucker in the film London to Brighton, fucking good actor or what, so just like the football squad you pick for the big one you can lose a good’un through circumstances but I advice film buffs to keep an eye on whatever movies he pops up in the future, I also wish him well, real Sarf London lad but good stuff, proper.

Also meet Nathalie Press (Elaine) when we went for meal with Mrs P to our fave Chinese, the Lotus floating restaurant in docklands. Now she is something in this actor and there’s that actor stakes. She got some proper big kudos when she co-starred alongside Emily Blunt in the movie A Summer of Love. Now I happen to watch this film and to be honest it’s a bit arty farty; we put any of that in the Cass movie and we will be going straight to West End theatre instead of DVD. We all know when you meet someone you can find out if they’re interesting or not and she is nice, genuine and an obviously talented actress. GQ magazine recently done a top twenty of UK Hollywood actors that featured only 3 named women, her name was one of them so the bonus is she is obviously going to do her talking on the pitch (read her cv) and no you perv’s Mrs P ain't like that, not for you anyway.

Will be interesting to meet Tamer Hassan (Ray) as he is well cast in all I have seen, my kind of movies too. We have meet before briefly in unplanned places e.g. like private film screening of Football Factory and Joe Pyle funeral, so hardly gone past the hello stage but he has got a very interesting role to play loosely based on a very true friend of the family who has a boxing link just like Tamer.

Another interesting call is a real interesting one, in this film game the scripts often will change and adapt differently to the outset as will the cast sometimes. But one name I will be very pleased to talk about come my next dairy blog if this gentleman (and he is a gentleman) signs up. But that’s for my next blog when I will keep you posted bang up to date.

Kick started with me and the film producers Steffan Haller and Jon Baird with Brit pack actor Leo Gregory attending one of the years hot parties held at the Cafe de Royale in Leicester Square where Total Film Magazine held their tenth anniversary bash. As ever I'm up for anything and I was invited along to have a interesting night being introduced to movie industry types and this is not the first time I have been lucky to find myself for I've been around the Green Street and Snatch movie makers and that was a buzz, but this is a different buzz, let me tell you, but lets not forget this project is 2 years in the making and we're not there yet because there is a big agenda going on around this movie which is why producer Steffan Haller flew in from LA. He has some serious film finance meetings throughout the month as this project they like to call it is attracting across- the- seas interest that will see further bits of business in this direction being done at Cannes as we speak.

So its all happening thick and fast as the casting list is building into a premier league of talent you just couldn't dream of putting together. There a real buzz around the news of the movie and we have not even started pre-production yet. The people producers Jon, Steff and third producer Will are putting together all see and get what this film is to be about, you guys reading this will know my story but it is important to me and the film's director Jon Baird, that the people and we mean actors in the main see the story too, its a tough and competitive business where a payday in a actors life has to stretch far and you can understand some actors lose sight of why they made acting their career. So my thinking is rather don't get fooled if I shake your hand out of politeness because I will be looking elsewhere about you to see if you are gonna put in the sacrifice on a level I achieved to make my life story a bestselling book that still is a popular seller some 7 years after first publication.

Glad to report some took the test straight away as me in the west end is their world while the east could be said is ours and I was surprised and chuffed to see who turned up and jibbed into West Ham v Everton for the last home game of the season. Saaf Londoner Johnny Harris with Anozo Anosie who is the man mountain and talented well thought of actor who has the lead role in that he plays me. So we meet for first time at Upton Park station and we hit off with a big breakfast down at Montys cafe (these boys are a long way from the west end now) and Anozie fair play hangs out the full day and by the time he has sunk a diet-coke (you sure fella and they call me the shandyman) in the Stanley and Boleyn he is ready for bubbles time and entering the scared lands that is the Boleyn Ground. A great day and the two actors are always gonna learn something from the characters and pals of mine they bumped into that day as we set ourselves up for Old Trafford and staying-up. It wern't just about meeting the boys and the buzz of following the boys in claret and blue, there's a area there with some sound people that needs a pick-up with what a film can bring it and I am glad the director feels the same. location for the full film shoot is to take place right throughout the east end from Shoreditch to Barking. Some of the key actors have already signed for gym memberships down at the famous Peacock Gym in Canning Town while the location manager continues to scout suitable east end boozers for the film.

Also into the mix some serious female cast in Nathalie Press, Linda Bassett, Lorraine Stanley now I am no film buff but those that are all say these ladies are hot actors. I need to watch some movies but where do you get the time but I've just recently watched the critically acclaimed London to Brighton film and Lorraine Stanley, Johnny Harris and Jamie Kenna all prominently feature in a movie that hits you hard, Dead Man's Shoes hard.

Its all good people, we are staying up, we are making this damn hot movie, just stick with us we are all West Ham and none can stop us, keep the faith and I'll keep you all up-to-date through this site.

Cass

Get ready for this people the film is happening and its been confirmed and registered. Filming will take place this year and they are saying June/July with it hitting the cinemas 2008. So months of rumour, buzz word and groundwork we can all start to believe the real deal and we better believe 'cos some major British talent from production to actors is reading like a real Brit pack casting. Next week I will reveal some of the cast and those of you who have watched Green Street and Football Factory will give it the big "Aaahh, its him!" while others you will need to know your movies. But its happening and you will certainly get it here first and, as always, we will be telling like it is ... and no Sol Campbell will not be playing me for the last time of asking (Harry wants him playing in the Two-bob Cup). Anyway take it as read and that the gag is off as next week and onwards I bring you whose on the action and I will name them too so stay with me, it's a interesting year ahead.

"What's happening with the film then Cass? You are still doing a film, ain't yer?"

What can I say guys? You sign a deal to sell the rights to your life story and then diddly squat! So maybe you think, maybe not, you're in a dream and it's just bits of talk. Then you have these chats with guys in the game and they say "It's all about the script, its all on your script, the script gotta be right Cass." Is the word I'm constantly advised (Henry VIII) and (BillyAlbert) and (007) all said as much into my shell-like ear, but that's no news for you or me. What about the fucking film we say.

So I switch off and write another book ... there you go, 30 Years of Hurt ... which becomes 41 by the time I complete July's film dairy log and still there is nothing to shout home about. Then we are at the end of September and the director says "Cass, we are gonna let you see the script." So this is now at last some news and it's about me, so of course I'm keen to read it and I don't need to reach half-way to know they have nailed it. I say "THEY" cos there's always a mystery person involved and I won't reveal him yet, but they have grasped the story behind my story and it comes out damn well. Now you guys know the story if you have read the book but trying to get someone's life story to fit into film running time is a story in itself! But like I say, they are confident they have nailed the story. I just say it's gonna blow everybody away and this film diary is going to have a real buzz about it in the coming weeks and months, as there are meetings going on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (as I write) though my first thoughts are that my story was made in Britain and is nailed on for an all British cast.

A major film industry big player has been showing interest in the script in recent weeks. The script is at the first draft stage and I have seen enough to excite the bigman, as at last I know which characters from the bestselling biography make the cut. Director Jon Baird dropped a major Brit movie actor sort for one of the main characters. Now, I don't think there is anyone out there who has not read or heard of the book, so you will know there is a real life East End hardman who taught me to survive the doors and prison days. The actor they are all saying is bang on ideal for this role appeared in Mean Machine and Green Street and whenever you watch this actor you think "fucking hell, he's the nuts of a actor!". Well have fun working out who I may be talking about ... and if this is all Double-Dutch then remember the film people wanna keep the cards close to their chest. But I'll tell you what: if you have read the book and can have a bit of fun by suggesting character roles for actors names then I will be watching who you guys wanna see in the film. Just post the name possibles on me guestbook. I'll be taking a look, but I am gagged so don't expect a reply at this stage.

Cass-The Movie latest: Went to best ever FA Cup final with film director Jon Baird and plenty going on film-wise. He's gagged me and my gob is shut but I can muffle the words that I have been in talks with major PR companies  that included Max Clifford . The script is near completion and people are getting excited but I'm cool as I am waiting to see the money man who lands on Friday so then we can get down to some real serious news and ensure those that keep tabs with this site are kept up to date.