Big Yin's debut in violent video game

Billy Connolly is set to make his debut in a video game, playing a gun-toting hitman.

Developers are making a game based on the cult 1999 movie The Boondock Saints and its sequel in which the comic played assassin Il Duce.

And the 68-year-old is expected to reprise the role, the father of two vigilante MacManus brothers, for the project.

At the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, Boondock Saints director Troy Duffy said a demo had already been created.

He added: ‘The Boondock fan base wants to have a beer with the MacManus brothers and Il Duce and then pick up a weapon and fight. With a video game you can increase that kind of intimacy.’

Last year Connolly said Il Duce was one of his favourite roles, adding: ‘I like careering around shooting people and murdering people. I don't think I would like to do it in my life, but it's a great chance to pretend.’

Connolly’s Il Duce’s has already featured in a mobile phone game based on the films – but only as artwork, not a talking character.

Here’s a trailer for that:

Published: 5 Apr 2011