EXCITEMENT is building at the possibility that Beaminster could be a prime location for the shooting of a new star-studded movie.

Rumours are rife that the remake of Far from the Madding Crowd, starring Carey Mulligan, could be shot in and around the town.

Now speculation is building that the team behind the new film is making plans to film in the area.

Putting the spotlight on Beaminster in a movie seen across the world would be a welcome boost after the year-long closure of the Horn Hill tunnel.

West Dorset is famous for having been used as one of the backdrops to the classic Thomas Hardy tale in the original 1967 film starring Julie Christie and Terence Stamp.

Bloxworth House, near Wareham, which recently went on sale for £4m was used as the fictional home of heroine Bathsheba Everdene.

In the story the beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba inherits her uncle's farm and decides to run it for herself.

The story then follows her life as she is pursued by three suitors: the enigmatic Sergeant Troy, wealthy farmer William Boldwood and shepherd Gabriel Oak.

Other locations used in the film included Maiden Castle in Dorchester and Abbotsbury, with locals featuring as extras.

The new film, a collaboration between British production company DNA films, Fox Searchlight and the BBC, is believed to be about to start filming in the next few months.

Fresh from playing Daisy Buchanan in the Baz Lurman production of The Great Gatsby, Carey Mulligan will be taking on the role of Bathsheba.

She will be joined by Tom Sturridge as Troy and Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oak.

It is not yet certain who will play Boldwood.

The script has been written by David Nicholls, who wrote the 2008 BBC version of Tess of the d’Urbervilles.

A spokesman for DNA Films said the company was not yet in a position to give any kind of official statement as to whether Beaminster would be used as a location.

He said they were still casting.

A spokesman for West Dorset District Council said that they had no heard anything about any filming going on in the town, but they if there were the film company would need permits. Owner of Strummer Pink on Church Street, Debs Moxhay, said that if they filmed the Hardy drama in Beaminster it would be fantastic for the area.

She said: “If it happened we would be very excited.”

Richard Barker from Beaminster Chamber of Trade said that if the production was filmed in the town it would be very positive He added that it could be the ideal spot for filming a period drama as there were so many listed period building in the town.

He said: “Anything that helps build the profile of the town has got to be good. It would be something that