Outlander fans were left disheartened after Dumfries-born star Sam Heughan confirmed that new film Everest, featuring stars Ewan McGregor and Mark Strong, has been postponed.
As reported by the Daily Record, Sam is most well known for his starring role in Outlander as Jamie Fraser, the TV adaptation of Diana's Gabaldon's historical fantasy series.
While being interviewed by Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2, 41-year-old Sam confirmed the devastating news that the film is no longer happening - at the moment.
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Filming for the new movie was prepped to begin in January this year, but fans noticed that the Scottish actor was in New Zealand for Men In Kilts and Ewan McGregor was on the set of Raymond and Ray.
Sam said: "So it just hit me where it hurts. We were supposed to be shooting this fantastic movie about Everest. Yeah, unfortunately, it's not happening at the moment.
"But who knows in the future it might. It's just schedules. No, that's fine. I'll just go and jump off a cliff right now, a very high Everest cliff."
The movie, written by Sheldon Turner, whose credits include Up In The Air, was inspired by Jeffrey Archer novel Paths Of Glory and in 2011, had Tom Hardy was attached to it.
Fellow Scot Ewan McGregor is the main character, George Mallory, who took part in the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest, beginning in 1921.
Sam Heughan comes up as the eccentric Australian climber George Finch, who will be rushing against McGregor's Mallory to reach the top of Mount Everest first.
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Mark Strong will take on the role of Arthur Hinks, a member of the Royal Geographic Society who hand-picked Mallory to make the dangerous yet important trek to the peak of the world.
Originally, the production lost its female lead Juno Temple, who was said to have temporarily shelved the project.
Fans were absolutely gutted after hearing the bad news about the production delays and took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
One hopeful fan said: "I just listened! So sad about Everest not filming now, guessing it’s due to actor scheduling delays/conflicts.
"I wonder when they start filming Outlander Season 7 as Caitriona had stated soon on the Steven Colbert show. Hopefully #TextForYou will be released soon!"
Another said: "It's always a pleasure listening to your interviews. I’m sorry for your luggage and Really Sorry for Everest... Hope it's just a delay."
Another fan said: "I stumbled across this announcement; glad I was able to tune in. Hope your Audiobook wins. Hope Text4You released soon. Fingers crossed for EVEREST. Love OUTLANDER. love you Sam xx"
Another tweet read: "Hope you'll be able to 'climb' Everest sometime later in the year. Seems like such a great project. Much looking forward to S6 of #Outlander."
Disappointed fans won't have long to wait to see Sam Heughan back on their screens with only two weeks to wait Outlander returns.
The Outlander season six premiere is being held in London on February 24, before hitting streaming platform Starz on Sunday March 6, 2022.
