City of Troy taking shape at Fort Ricasoli

The war epic Troy is being shot in around six locations, including Mellieha and Golden Sands, but mostly at Fort Ricasoli, where the set for the city of Troy, is in the process of being constructed by 300 Maltese and 50 foreigners.

Two Greek ships are also being constructed at a local shipyard.

Most people are familiar with the story of the Trojan Wars and it is not the first time it has been featured in movies, including the recent USA Cable TV series Helen of Troy, shot in Malta between last July and November.

Set in 1193 BC, the movie is about the prince, Paris of Troy, who steals the stunning Helen away from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta, setting the two nations at war with each other.

The entire Greek armada embarks on a bloody siege of the city of Troy that lasts over 10 years, with the Greek forces led by Achilles and the Trojan forces by the prince Hector.

Over 100 Maltese actors have auditioned for Troy since November, said Edward Mercieca, Troy's casting director for Malta. The parts would be mainly one-liners and, so far, mostly warriors with acting skills were required, and not full-blown characters.

Mr Mercieca did not yet know how many local actors would be cast in the movie in the end, but added that it was easier for Maltese actors to get parts in smaller-budget movies. In fact, he had cast 23 speaking parts for Helen of Troy - half of the cast.

Every local actor sought a role in a foreign film, both for the experience of working with foreigners and to earn some money, he said.

Troy is being directed by Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm, Air Force One) and its stellar cast includes Brad Pitt (Achilles), Eric Bana (Hector), Orlando Bloom (Prince Paris of Troy), Sean Bean (Odysseus), Julie Christie (Thetis) and Peter O'Toole (Priam). Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships, has not yet been identified.

The original Moroccan location for Troy, which has an estimated budget of $150 million, was changed to Mexico because of the war in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Swept Away, which was filmed in Malta in October of 2001, won Worst Picture and Worst Remake at the 23rd Annual Golden Raspberry (Razzie) Awards, dishonouring worst achievements in film for 2002. Its protagonist, Madonna, won Worst Actress, while her husband, Guy Ritchie, won Worst Director.

The Razzies are traditionally presented 24 hours before the Oscars.