FIRST LOOK: Sir Ben Kingsley is picture perfect as Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí while filming new biopic Dalí Land in windy north Wales

  • The Oscar-winning actor was the spitting image of Dalí while making his first appearance on the set of forthcoming film Dalí Land
  • Set in 1973, Dalí Land will follow the story of a young gallery assistant who helps the ageing Dalí prepare for a big show in New York 
  • Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí's notable unique aesthetic turned him into one of the most significant surrealist painters of the 20th century 
  • Sir Ben previously won an Academy Award for his portrayal of political activist Mahatma Gandhi in 1982 historical epic Ghandi 
  • The actor has also played Polish-Israeli holocaust survivor Itzhak Stern in Steven Speilberg's 1993 masterpiece Schindler's List
  • Dalí Land was originally scheduled for a 2020 release. A new date has not yet been confirmed 

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One could be forgiven for thinking Salvador Dalí was alive and well on Friday as Sir Ben Kingsley stepped into the surrealist painter's shoes for a new biopic. 

The Oscar-winning actor was the spitting image of Dalí, who passed away in 1989 at the age of 84, while making his first appearance on the set of forthcoming film Dalí Land. 

Sporting the twirled mustache and shoulder length hair favoured by the eccentric Spanish artist, Sir Ben, 77, was ready for action as filming got underway on the windy Anglesey coast in Wales. 

Lookalikes: Sir Ben Kingsley was the spitting image of Dalí while making his first appearance on the set of forthcoming film Dalí Land
The real deal: Dalí passed away in 1989 at the age of 84

Lookalikes: Sir Ben Kingsley was the spitting image of Dalí while making his first appearance on the set of forthcoming film Dalí Land

Latest role: One could be forgiven for thinking Salvador Dalí was alive and well on Friday as Sir Ben stepped into the surrealist painter's shoes for a new biopic

Latest role: One could be forgiven for thinking Salvador Dalí was alive and well on Friday as Sir Ben stepped into the surrealist painter's shoes for a new biopic

Adding to Dalí's distinctive look, the celebrated actor wore a pattered cape and held a cane as he took up position on the rocky coastline. 

Sir Ben was joined by a small group of production assistants and cast-members dressed in period clothing that appeared to reflect the film's early seventies setting while shooting his first scenes.

However leading lady Suki Waterhouse, last seen filming on location in Liverpool, was not present as filming commenced on the Welsh island.   

Iconic: Dalí was famed for his incredible draftsmanship and often bizarre works of art

Iconic: Dalí was famed for his incredible draftsmanship and often bizarre works of art 

All set: Sporting the twirled mustache and shoulder length hair favoured by the eccentric Spanish artist, Sir Ben, 77, was ready for action as filming got underway on the windy Anglesey coast in Wales
All set: Sporting the twirled mustache and shoulder length hair favoured by the eccentric Spanish artist, Sir Ben, 77, was ready for action as filming got underway on the windy Anglesey coast in Wales

All set: Sporting the twirled mustache and shoulder length hair favoured by the eccentric Spanish artist, Sir Ben, 77, was ready for action as filming got underway on the windy Anglesey coast in Wales

Steady on: Adding to Dalí's distinctive look, the celebrated actor wore a pattered cape and held a cane as he took up position on the rocky coastline

Steady on: Adding to Dalí's distinctive look, the celebrated actor wore a pattered cape and held a cane as he took up position on the rocky coastline

Set in 1973, Dalí Land will follow the story of a young gallery assistant who helps the ageing Dalí prepare for a big show in New York.

While Sir Ben takes on the role of the artist in his later years, while Ezra Miller, 28, portrays the impressionist in his youth.

They star alongside Barbara Sukowa playing his wife Gala - a role originally slated for Lesley Manville - Frank Dillane as a young art enthusiast, and Tim Roth who will be Dalí’s right hand man, Captain Moore.

In good company: Sir Ben was joined by a small group of cast-members dressed in period clothing that appeared to reflect the film's early seventies setting while shooting his first scenes

In good company: Sir Ben was joined by a small group of cast-members dressed in period clothing that appeared to reflect the film's early seventies setting while shooting his first scenes

Listen to me: The actor held court as Dalí while his male and female co-stars listened

Listen to me: The actor held court as Dalí while his male and female co-stars listened 

Coming soon: Set in 1973, Dalí Land will follow the story of a young gallery assistant who helps the ageing Dalí prepare for a big show in New York
Coming soon: Set in 1973, Dalí Land will follow the story of a young gallery assistant who helps the ageing Dalí prepare for a big show in New York

Coming soon: Set in 1973, Dalí Land will follow the story of a young gallery assistant who helps the ageing Dalí prepare for a big show in New York

Pointing it out: Sir Ben used his can to wave at something off camera as he chatted with his co-stars

Pointing it out: Sir Ben used his can to wave at something off camera as he chatted with his co-stars

The real deal: Sir Ben Kingsley as he is known to millions...
... and the actor dressed in character for his new role as Salvador Dalí

The real deal: Sir Ben Kingsley as he is known to millions (L) and the actor dressed in character for his new role as Salvador Dalí (R)

Hard at work: A team of production assistants surrounded the three actors as they prepared to shoot another scene

Hard at work: A team of production assistants surrounded the three actors as they prepared to shoot another scene 

Mary Harron, best known for her cinematic interpretation of controversial Brett Easton Ellis novel American Psycho, serves as director and co-writer on the new production alongside her screenwriter husband John C. Walsh. 

Speaking in 2019, producer Edward R. Pressman told Deadline: 'Mary’s sense of cosmic irony is a perfect match for a story about the flamboyant, contradictory and larger than life Salvador Dalí. 

'I love the team we’ve assembled and can’t wait to see Sir Ben Kingsley and Lesley Manville embody the iconic partnership of Dalí and Gala.'  

Close: Sir Ben and his co-stars huddled together as they filmed a scene on the rocky coastline

Close: Sir Ben and his co-stars huddled together as they filmed a scene on the rocky coastline 

Don't mind me: The leading man appeared to be nursed as he lay back on the rocks

Don't mind me: The leading man appeared to be nursed as he lay back on the rocks 

In repose: Sir Ben's co-stars looked on as he spread himself out on the uneven ground and closed his eyes, seemingly at peace

In repose: Sir Ben's co-stars looked on as he spread himself out on the uneven ground and closed his eyes, seemingly at peace 

Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí's notable unique aesthetic turned him into one of the most significant surrealist painters of the 20th century. 

With sex, food, science, religion and nature key themes throughout his body of work, Dalí's notable paintings include The Persistence Of Memory, Crucifixion, Metamorphosis of Narcissus and Basket of Bread. 

The painter is the latest in a series of historical figures played by Sir Ben, with the actor previously winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in 1982 epic Ghandi. 

Success: The painter is the latest in a series of historical figures played by Sir Ben, with the actor previously winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in 1982 epic Ghandi (pictured)

Success: The painter is the latest in a series of historical figures played by Sir Ben, with the actor previously winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in 1982 epic Ghandi (pictured)

Alternate perspectives: The actor has also played Polish-Israeli holocaust survivor Itzhak Stern in Steven Speilberg's 1993 masterpiece Schindler's List...
...mann in 2018 drama Operation Finale.

Alternate perspectives: The actor has also played Polish-Israeli holocaust survivor Itzhak Stern in Steven Speilberg's 1993 masterpiece Schindler's List (L)  as well as Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 2018 drama Operation Finale (R)

Behind the camera: In 2011 he also stepped into the shoes of pioneering French filmmaker Georges Méliès for Martin Scorsese's Hugo

Behind the camera: In 2011 he also stepped into the shoes of pioneering French filmmaker Georges Méliès for Martin Scorsese's Hugo 

The actor has also played Polish-Israeli holocaust survivor Itzhak Stern in Steven Speilberg's 1993 masterpiece Schindler's List, as well as Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 2018 drama Operation Finale. 

In 2011 he stepped into the shoes of pioneering French filmmaker Georges Méliès for Martin Scorsese fantasy Hugo.  

Dalí Land was originally scheduled for a 2020 release. A new date has not yet been confirmed.

Dressed up: Suki Waterhouse was spotted on the streets of Liverpool in a full length silver gown and a metallic cap as she filmed her own scenes for the forthcoming film

Dressed up: Suki Waterhouse was spotted on the streets of Liverpool in a full length silver gown and a metallic cap as she filmed her own scenes for the forthcoming film 

Coming soon: Dalí Land was originally scheduled for a 2020 release. A new date has not yet been confirmed.

Coming soon: Dalí Land was originally scheduled for a 2020 release. A new date has not yet been confirmed.

Legendary: Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí's notable unique aesthetic turned him into one of the most significant surrealist painters of the 20th century

Legendary: Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí's notable unique aesthetic turned him into one of the most significant surrealist painters of the 20th century

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