Liam Neeson's son will play Collins in The Rising

Michael Neeson will follow in the footsteps of his father by taking on the role of Michael Collins. He will play the iconic role in The Rising, a new Irish film about the events of 1916.

Last month, Michael revealed that his father didn’t want him to become an actor. Not only is he entering the acting business, but he’s taking on a role that Liam himself portrayed almost 20 years ago. In 1996, Liam Neeson starred in Neil Jordan’s 1920s-set “Michael Collins.”

This will be Michael’s first big role. It also stars Colin Morgan as 1916 mastermind Seán Mac Diarmada, and with David O'Hara as playing Dublin Brigade Commandant General James Connolly. Kevin McCann wrote the script, alongside Colin Broderick, and will direct the film.