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Angus.... I remember you had a part in this and this is from my local paper 
From small town to big screen
By Courtney Parker
Correspondent | November 09,2012
When thousands of moviegoers flock to theaters to see one of next year’s highly anticipated movies, among them will be Castleton State College graduate Mariah Phillips who will be far too familiar with the story.
Mariah and her family will be watching their own life events unfold on the big screen in the upcoming movie “Captain Phillips” based on the true-life story of her father, Capt. Richard Phillips.
The movie, set to be released in early 2013, is based on Phillips’ 2010 memoir “A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs and Dangerous Days at Sea” about his 2009 run-in with Somali pirates.
His bravery was recognized around the world as he selflessly surrendered himself to the group of armed pirates in return for the freedom of his crew.
Phillips’ book retells his days as a prisoner at sea, describing his personal fear and perseverance along with the relentless efforts put forth by the U.S. Navy and government leaders to bring him home safe.
“At first my parents didn’t want anything to do with the movie,” Mariah said, adding that after being bombarded by news crews during her father’s captivity the family had no desire to be further in the public eye.
But they reconsidered and agreed to the film, collaborating with Columbia Pictures, part of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Though Mariah and her family prefer to keep a low profile, they feel that their story is an important one to tell.
“I wonder if I can get in for free since it’s my movie,” Mariah joked.
The film, which features several well-known names, was written by Billy Ray and directed by Paul Greengrass, who has worked on films including “The Bourne Supremacy,” “Green Zone,” and “United 93.”
Tom Hanks will play Capt. Phillips, with Catherine Keener playing his wife Andrea Phillips, Gigi Raines as Mariah and John Magaro as her older brother, Dan.
Hanks, who has played everyone from a shrimp boat captain to the voice of a toy cowboy, was quick to take on the role of Capt. Phillips and was eager to be part of a movie with such historical significance.
He even made a trip to the Phillips’ residence in Underhill to get to know the hometown hero and better prepare for his upcoming role.
“He’s really a normal guy,” Richard Phillips said, and who shared a few laughs with the mega star during his Vermont visit.
Richard Phillips gave Hanks a taste of his home life, allowing him to tour his house and meet his family. He even offered the actor a few suggestions on how to better get into his character.
“I told him he might have to put on a little weight in order to look like me,” chuckled Richard Phillips.
He said he’s sure Hanks will embrace the role and hopes the movie will do his story justice.
“We don’t want people to see the story through Hollywood eyes,” Richard Phillips’ wife, Andrea, said, adding that she hopes the production team stays as true to the original events as possible.
But she said reliving the dreadful details of her husband’s encounter will not be easy for her, especially in front of a large audience.
Though the family has since moved on and put the experience behind them she said there are still certain details that she would rather forget.
“It’s an odd feeling knowing that part of your life is going to play out on the big screen,” Andrea Phillips said, explaining the experience as strange and surreal. “I don’t think I’ll be buying it on Blu-Ray anytime soon.”
From small town to big screen
By Courtney Parker
Correspondent | November 09,2012
Mariah and her family will be watching their own life events unfold on the big screen in the upcoming movie “Captain Phillips” based on the true-life story of her father, Capt. Richard Phillips.
The movie, set to be released in early 2013, is based on Phillips’ 2010 memoir “A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs and Dangerous Days at Sea” about his 2009 run-in with Somali pirates.
His bravery was recognized around the world as he selflessly surrendered himself to the group of armed pirates in return for the freedom of his crew.
Phillips’ book retells his days as a prisoner at sea, describing his personal fear and perseverance along with the relentless efforts put forth by the U.S. Navy and government leaders to bring him home safe.
“At first my parents didn’t want anything to do with the movie,” Mariah said, adding that after being bombarded by news crews during her father’s captivity the family had no desire to be further in the public eye.
But they reconsidered and agreed to the film, collaborating with Columbia Pictures, part of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Though Mariah and her family prefer to keep a low profile, they feel that their story is an important one to tell.
“I wonder if I can get in for free since it’s my movie,” Mariah joked.
The film, which features several well-known names, was written by Billy Ray and directed by Paul Greengrass, who has worked on films including “The Bourne Supremacy,” “Green Zone,” and “United 93.”
Tom Hanks will play Capt. Phillips, with Catherine Keener playing his wife Andrea Phillips, Gigi Raines as Mariah and John Magaro as her older brother, Dan.
Hanks, who has played everyone from a shrimp boat captain to the voice of a toy cowboy, was quick to take on the role of Capt. Phillips and was eager to be part of a movie with such historical significance.
He even made a trip to the Phillips’ residence in Underhill to get to know the hometown hero and better prepare for his upcoming role.
“He’s really a normal guy,” Richard Phillips said, and who shared a few laughs with the mega star during his Vermont visit.
Richard Phillips gave Hanks a taste of his home life, allowing him to tour his house and meet his family. He even offered the actor a few suggestions on how to better get into his character.
“I told him he might have to put on a little weight in order to look like me,” chuckled Richard Phillips.
He said he’s sure Hanks will embrace the role and hopes the movie will do his story justice.
“We don’t want people to see the story through Hollywood eyes,” Richard Phillips’ wife, Andrea, said, adding that she hopes the production team stays as true to the original events as possible.
But she said reliving the dreadful details of her husband’s encounter will not be easy for her, especially in front of a large audience.
Though the family has since moved on and put the experience behind them she said there are still certain details that she would rather forget.
“It’s an odd feeling knowing that part of your life is going to play out on the big screen,” Andrea Phillips said, explaining the experience as strange and surreal. “I don’t think I’ll be buying it on Blu-Ray anytime soon.”
