Michael Flatley has encouraged fans to 'follow your dreams' as he's tipped for Oscar glory after scooping a best actor award at the Monaco film festival.
After much speculation over the past few years, the Lord of the Dance legend’s spy thriller 'Blackbird' finally received its debut at the Monaco film festival this week.
And as Flatley clinched the best actor honours at the prestigious event, he is being tipped for gold at the Oscars.
Ladbrokes has cut the odds after his win, and Riverdance star is now 50/1 from 100/1 to win an Oscar following a flurry of bets this morning.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Michael Flatley’s film has been well received it seems and after he scooped Best Actor honours in Monaco last night, it’s not completely inconceivable that the Lord Of The Dance star could land an Oscar.”
Commenting on his win, the dancing icon said: “A dream come true! I'm honoured to receive the award for Best Actor at the Monaco Film Festival.
“Just a reminder to Follow your Dreams!”
Blackbird is his directorial debut, but he also wrote, financed and stars in the project.
The dancer - who sprang to worldwide fame first with 'Riverdance' and then 'Lord of the Dance' - shot the spy flick in various locations across Barbados, Ireland and London.
The Chicago-born star said he wanted it to be his personal homage to old Hollywood thrillers.
“I wanted to make a modern movie reminiscent of old Hollywood,” said Flatley.
“The classics were always entertaining without being excessively violent or complicated.
“We shot the movie in Barbados, Ireland and London, capturing some of the most cinematically picturesque locations on film, all of which have a special place in my heart.
“I’m honoured to be showing ‘Blackbird’ at the inaugural Monaco Streaming Film Festival. It’s an innovative venture and opens the doors globally to a rapidly evolving digital marketplace.”
Flatley plays Victor Blackley, aka Blackbird, a retired M16 spy who tries to escape his troubled past by opening a nightclub in the Caribbean.
However, when a fellow agent and old flame turns up, Blackley is forced back on an assignment which sees millions of lives left in the balance.
Irish actor Patrick Bergin, who starred in 1991 thriller Sleeping With The Enemy, and Eric Roberts from 2010 hit action film The Expendables also star in the movie.
Monaco Streaming Film Festival founder Tony Davis told US entertainment site Variety it was an honour to have Flatley’s flick open the event.
"Michael Flatley's debut feature film is such a pleasant surprise - he brings his renowned stage presence and energy, which we have all experienced over the past 25 years, to the big screen in a gripping romantic thriller," he said.
"Blackbird is beautifully filmed in stunning exotic locations, and a brilliant supporting cast help Flatley deliver something his legions of fans all over the world are going to love - he's quite simply a star."
Stay up to date with the latest showbiz news and gossip by liking our dedicated Facebook page
