'Why we chose LFC and Istanbul'

Ellen Perry's 'Will', which is set for nationwide release on Friday, is the story of an 11-year-old Kopite who overcomes all obstacles to embark upon a life-changing journey to the Ataturk Stadium for Liverpool's final clash with AC Milan.

Ellen acknowledges she was unaware of the history of LFC and the mystique of Istanbul when she began writing the film - but that's certainly not the case now.

She explained to Liverpoolfc.tv: "We started writing Will in the spring of 2005 and for almost two years I was in Los Angeles producing it and trying to raise the funds for it. In 2007, I started coming over to Europe to meet with different clubs.

"I met Liverpool in June 2008 - and it was love at first sight, naturally.

"After getting the club's support, I came back to raise the funds...and the banks collapsed in September 2008, so it took a little bit longer to get the money together!

"Once we did, we began pre-production in January 2010 and wrapped in July. Then we were in post-production for eight months and now we're here."

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Ellen has revealed how LFC Managing Director Ian Ayre's illuminating recollections of Istanbul proved key in the decision to centre the movie around the historic events of May 25, 2005.

"It was an interesting way in how we actually came to Istanbul," she said. "We started writing the script in the spring of 2005, but we wrote a generic version not really knowing which club we'd end up working with.

"When I came to Liverpool in June 2008, I was speaking to Ian Ayre, who had read the script in its generic form, and he said, 'It's a great idea and script, and it's great for us because we have this epic match.'

"He started talking about the Champions League final as somebody who was there and told me how brilliant it was.

"We started talking more and more about it - and naturally it just seemed like the perfect, perfect fit."

Since that first meet with Liverpool almost six years ago, Ellen has become an enthusiastic follower of the club's fortunes and has been keen to embrace the history and traditions of the Reds.

Indeed, she believes fate may have played a part in helping her discover LFC.

She added: "I've become a massive fan of the club. When I say it was love at first sight, it really was love at first sight. I talked to a lot of other clubs, but there's something about Liverpool - and Merseyside in general.

"When I got off the train at Lime Street, I looked around and noticed an incredible energy. Maybe if you live here you're too close to it, but as an outsider looking in it's an amazing place with amazing people.

"Over all of the other stadiums I've been to, you just feel the history at Anfield. You feel it. I was totally and utterly taken in by the club.

"I went to a match in autumn 2008 against Manchester United. Liverpool won and the first time I heard the stadium break out into 'You'll Never Walk Alone', I was sat next to Ian (Ayre) and I just looked at him and was speechless.

"I'd seen television footage of it and heard it on the radio, but to be here to experience that - there's nothing like it in the world.

"It couldn't have been any other club in the film. Having developed relationships with people at other clubs, they say the same thing."

Aside from the Istanbul-themed storyline, Will has extra appeal for Liverpool supporters due to the cameo appearances from Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Ellen admits to being pleasantly surprised by the trio's acting abilities.

She laughs: "I think they've got a future in film, but maybe they don't think they do! They were absolutely brilliant.

"Critics are pretty tough and everyone was expecting the footballers not to give very good, dramatic readings of their lines - but in reality they actually do.

"Even though they're playing themselves, it's different having a camera in front of you with lines that you've memorised and recreating what I'm sure is one of the most epic days of their lives. They were absolutely brilliant."

Meanwhile, actor Damien Lewis - who plays the role of Gareth in the movie - has revealed how he played a part in convincing Kenny Dalglish to get involved.

The lifelong Reds fan met the King at a celebrity Soccer Aid match and was keen to pitch the idea to the Reds boss.

"Kenny was the Rest of the World manager and I was talking to him about Will because I'd heard he would be appearing in our movie," said Lewis.

"I said everyone was excited that he was taking part. But, to my surprise, he said he didn't think he was going to do it because he wasn't sure it was a proper film.

"So I started telling him that it was a proper film, that Bob Hoskins was also in it and it would be seen in the cinemas.

"Anyway he did agree to be in the film and shot his scenes in Istanbul. I think he is brilliant in it."

He added: "I thought I was going to act with Stevie Gerrard, who is one of my all-time heroes, and Jamie Carragher, but I was in completely different parts of the movie and we did not come across each other.

"I am a big fan of Liverpool and I enjoyed the idea of being in a film that features the club so strongly. I also responded to the father/son story, which is a tearjerker."