Thursday Murder Club's director admits 'biggest regret' creating film

The Thursday Murder Club's Netflix release is just around the corner and the film was inspired byRichard Osman's 2020 novel.

Directed by Chris Columbus, the film promises to capture the book's British humour whileboasting a star-studded cast with plenty of Hollywood names.

The creators welcomed the challenge of adapting the novel, but admitted some of the plot points and finer details had to be left out due to time constraints. Columbus said he had one regret when it came to the final cut, as some of the intricate details from the set did not get the air time they deserved.

Speaking at the British Library ahead of the film's release, he shared: "I think the audience is not getting to see all of Ibrahim's flat. So that's really my biggest regret.

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"Ibrahim's flat was stunning. You could actually move into it, it was that amazing, and we really never get to see enough of it. So that would be the thing I regret the most."

Sir Ben Kingsley, who plays Ibrahim Arif in the film, specifically requested his character should have a photograph of his parents and framed Islamic prints in his home to reflect his background.

Ibrahim’s wearing of bow ties with his smart suits was also Ben Kingsley’s original idea.

Production designer James Merifield said Ibrahim's home "has the feel of a traditional gentleman’s club with its mahogany panelling, burgundy walls and paisley prints".

To bring Coopers Chase to life, Merifield took filming to Englefield House in Berkshire - a Grade II listed house originally built in 1558.

Within the house itself, many rooms and corridors were dressed to provide the residents with their elegant communal spaces.

For example, Joyce Meadowcroft’s (Celia Imrie) apartment reflects her sunny and busy personality and the concept "originally grew from the idea of a Lemon Drizzle cake and went from there.

"We visualised a cross between Mary Berry and Laura Ashley.”

The cemetery set was inspired by a corner of the famous Highgate Cemetery in North London and it was so convincing that several members of the cast, including Helen Mirren, thought it was real.

Henry Lloyd-Hughes, who plays Bogdan, only realized his mistake when he accidentally dropped his spade and chipped a plaster gravestone.

The Thursday Murder Club airs on Netflix on August 28