Shaftesbury on the road with Terry Fox

Toronto - Shaftesbury Films is marking the 25th anniversary of Canadian hero Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope by producing Terry, an MOW for CTV's Heroes, Champions and Villains production strand. The project is currently shooting throughout the country.

Don McBrearty helms the story of Fox's courageous journey, starting in St. John's, NF, in April 1980 to the end of his run in Thunder Bay, ON. The script by Dennis Foon (Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity) is based on journals Fox wrote during his cross-Canada run, as well as extensive interviews with his friends and family.

Principal photography began in Toronto June 5 and continues until June 22. Cast and crew then move to various locations in northern Ontario June 25-28 before heading to Newfoundland to shoot July 2-3. Additional shoots in Vancouver and Ottawa are yet to be scheduled.

The $4.5-million MOW stars Shawn Ashmore (The Collector, X-Men 2) as Fox, with Ryan McDonald (The Ballad of Jack and Rose) and Noah Ried playing his best friend and brother, respectively, both of whom accompanied on his run.

Shaftesbury's Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie executive produce with Paul Nicholls and Ashmore. Director and Fox photojournalist Gail Harvey, who covered the Marathon of Hope, is creative producer. Laurie McLarty produces for Shaftesbury.

The MOW is being produced with funding from Shaftesbury, CTV, the Cogeco Program Development Fund and the Shaw Rocket Fund. In recognition of Fox's heroic spirit, all net profits from worldwide sales will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation. Laura Bracken