PRIMITIVE WAR Novel Is Being Adapted As Sci-Fi Horror Film

Primitive War novel being adapted to film

Luke Sparke, best known for directing the science-fiction action flick Occupation and its sequel, Occupation: Rainfall, will write and direct a film adaptation of Ethan Pettus’ first novel in the ongoing Primitive War book series, titled Primitive War: Opiate Undertow.

The film adaptation will come as a sci-fi horror set in 1968 Vietnam. The Primitive War film will follow a search and rescue team known as the Vulture Squad as they are sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. As the team hunt through the primordial depths of the valley and the number of confirmed casualties grow, the Vulture Squad are forced to embrace their savage instincts if they are to survive the ancient horrors of the jungle… including the ultimate apex predators, the dinosaurs.

Pettus shared, “It’s a dream come true. Primitive War is a story that’s larger than life, and I think Luke and his team can make it into a cinematic masterpiece.”

Meanwhile, writer-director Sparke also expressed his excitement: “Dinosaurs in the Vietnam war? What’s not to love about that concept?! When I first heard about the books, I loved the ideas and concepts Ethan brought into them, and we’re shaping our film version into an exciting survival-horror film.”

 

 

 

MEG 2 Gets Some Fresh Bait

The Meg 2 adds to its cast

Meg 2: The Trench has added three new appetisers to its menu; Sienna Guillory (Resident Evil: Afterlife, Clifford the Big Red Dog), Skyler Samuels (The Gifted, Scream Queens), and Sergio Peris-Mencheta (Snowfall, Rambo: Last Blood) have boarded the Warner Bros. sequel to the very fun, 2018 shark attack film The Meg. 

Jason Statham of course returns as Jonas Taylor to fight the titular megalodon, with Cliff Curtis, Shuya Sophia Cai and Page Kennedy also reprising their roles from the first film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, which first broke the news, Peris-Mencheta will be playing one of Meg 2′s antagonists, a hard-edged mercenary. Guillory plays the head of an applied sciences division, while Samuels is one of Statham’s submarine crew.

Dog swimming away from The Megalodon; casting announcement for Meg 2

Next-to-nothing is known about the plot for this next film, but it’s reasonable to expect more gigantic sharks, blood, and action. And promisingly, the studio has tapped none other than Ben Wheatley – the man who directed High-Rise and In The Earth – to helm he adventure thriller sequel from a script by Jon and Erich Hoeber.

Meg 2: The Trench begun shooting last month in the UK, with a release date TBA.

 

 

[Updated] First Look at WALKING AGAINST THE RAIN

walking rain first

The feature debut of Black Mass director Scott Lyus, the apocalyptic monster road movie, Walking Against the Rain, has entered post-production and we have some first-look images to share.

The movie is a graphic tale of two strangers navigating their way through a barren landscape, was shot in fifteen days in locations including Kirklinton Hall & Gardens, Eden Valley Railway and Lake Buttermere.

Lyus’s UK-produced film, which he also wrote, stars Cruel Summer’s Reece Douglas, newcomer Sophia Eleni, Johnny Vivash (Book of Monsters) and James Swanton as monster creation ‘The Forsaken’.

The Forsaken creature design was created by renowned SFX artist Dan Martin (Host, Lords of Chaos).

Update February 24th:

The official poster for the film has now been revealed, designed by Colm Geoghegan’s Creepy Duck Design.

Director Scott Lyus commentated: “I am blown away with our official poster from Colm and Creepy Duck Design. It perfectly captures the threat of our humanoid creatures The Forsaken, while putting the human drama of Blair and Tommy’s story front and centre. I cannot wait to unleash this film on the world, and Colm’s artwork is the perfect tease.”

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Synopsis: Set six months after a biblical plague has fallen upon the world, WALKING AGAINST THE RAIN tells the story of two strangers, Tommy (Reece Douglas) and Blair (Sophia Eleni) who are navigating their way across a barren landscape in a desperate attempt to find each other. With their only form of communication being two soon-to-die battery-operated radio mics and with a new evil in the shape of ‘The Forsaken’ tracking them down, they must learn to confront loss and rediscover a trust in humanity. Or die.

Co-producers and long-term collaborators Scott Lyus and Chris Nials have created several successful short films, including Silently Within Your Shadow, Echoes of the Passed, and, most recently, the multi award-winning Black Mass, all of which have screened at the STARBURST International Film Festival.

Lyus commentated: “Production on Walking Against the Rain was a dream come true. The crew delivered above and beyond, with the cast bringing each character to life in breath-taking ways. I got to work with some of the most talented people in indie film, with everyone pulling in the same direction to create a unique and spellbinding monster movie. I cannot wait to put the film together and unleash it upon the world.“

WALKING AGAINST THE RAIN is a Crossroad Pictures production, written and directed by Scott Lyus. The film is produced by Scott Lyus, with Line Producer Chris Nails and Assistant Producer Mel Morley. The film is executive produced by Malcolm Winter and Monika Gergelova of M & M Film Productions and funded by Red Rock Entertainment.

TRUE HAUNTING Tells The Story Of The World’s First Televised Exorcism

True Haunting casts Erin Moriarty, who previously starred in Jessica Jones

The Boys’ Erin Moriarty and Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) have signed on to star in True Haunting, based on Edwin F. Becker’s book of the same name.

Directed by Gary Fleder (Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, Runaway Jury)  from a screenplay by Richard D’Ovidio (The Call, Hypnotic), True Haunting is based on a true haunted house story. When Ed and Marsha Becker (yes, same Becker family as the book author) purchased their first home, they soon discovered the house was haunted by the ghosts of a sinister family who had previously died there.

Desperate for help, the Beckers sought out an exorcism – which also turned out to be the first ever exorcism to be televised. The 1971 NBC news segment might have become a huge success, but the exorcism was not. Instead, it made things worse for the young couple who lived there. Much worse… This event was also the basis for the Paranormal Witness episode “The Tenants”, which aired in October 2012.

Moriarty and Campbell Bower will presumably play Ed and Marsha, with further casting yet to be announced. In the meantime, check out some creepy footage from the infamous NBC report.

KRAVEN THE HUNTER Casts Its Chameleon

Marvel supervillain Chameleon is the half brother of Kraven the Hunter

Kraven the Hunter has added Fred Hechinger to its cast. The Pam & Tommy and Fear Street star joins Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Russell Crowe – the latter in an unknown role – in the upcoming entry to Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters.

Meanwhile, rumour has it that Hechinger will play the Chameleon, Spider-Man’s first ever adversary who debuted in the initial issue of The Amazing Spider-Man in March 1963. The supervillain is usually depicted as a master of disguises, known for his ability to impersonate virtually anybody. More relevant still is that Chameleon is also the half-brother of Kraven the Hunter.

Other Spider-Man spinoffs in development at Sony include the long-delayed Morbius, which still looks to release next month, and a Madame Web film starring Dakota Johnson. Kraven the Hunter hails from director J.C. Chandor (A Most Violent Year, Triple Frontier) and has a screenplay by Art Marcum & Matt Holloway (Iron Man, Men in Black: International) and Richard Wenk (The Equalizer).

 

Frank Grillo Plays A Cult Leader In His Son’s Directorial Debut

Frank Grillo to star in Man's Son -- still taken from Boss Level

Frank Grillo (Captain America and Purge franchises) will soon play a cult leader in Man’s Son, a modern horror thriller from his son, first-time director Remy Grillo.

The story centres on a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an upcoming Charles Manson film – making the feature’s title a clever play on words. However, when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition reel begin to bleed into their reality, until they find themselves entwined in an occult leader’s (Grillo Sr.) sinister plot.

The script is inspired by real-life occult activity in the California desert, reports Deadline, and is written by newcomers Josh Plasse and Brev Moss.

Man’s Son is scheduled to start production next month in Yucca Valley, California. The thriller does not yet have a release date.

 

Simu Liu Joins Sci-Fi Thriller HELLO STRANGER

Shang-Chi star Simu Liu joins cast of Hello Stranger

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings star Simu Liu is joining the cast of thriller Hello Stranger, which already includes Sam Worthington (Avatar franchise), Jordana Brewster (Fast and Furious franchise), Robbie Amell (The Flash, The Tomorrow People) and Alicia Sanz (From Dusk Till Dawn: the Series).

Hello Stranger follows Faye (Brewster), a woman who attempts to replace her recently deceased husband, Evan, with an android simulant (SIM). Although SIM Evan appears like human Evan in every way, Faye does not feel the same love for SIM Evan as it does for her. SIM Evan tries to win Faye “back” while at the same time as being on the run from a government agent who is chasing down SIMs who have become conscious and could pose a threat to the future of humankind.

It’s unclear at this time who Liu will be playing. The casting announcement, first reported by Deadline, follows the recent news that the MCU actor had boarded Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, which also stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.  

April Mullen (Wander) directs Hello Stranger from a script by Ryan Christopher Churchill. Filming is currently underway in Canada.

 

The Delta Film Awards Return!

delta awards

Once a mainstay on the festival scene, the Delta Film Awards are returning this year at their natural home, the Festival of Fantastic Films.

The Delta Group was a band of enthusiastic amateur filmmakers who got together in the ‘60s and had fun making shorts. This later developed into regular meetings of like-minded fans and the launch of the Festival of Fantastic Films in 1990. That festival returns this year, and the Delta Film Awards are back. Short films are being invited to enter (uniquely, for free!) and there will be three award categories: science fiction, horror, and fantasy. The overall winner will be presented with the inaugural Norman J. Warren trophy.

Named after the late director who was a regular at the festival and much-loved by all who attends, the award will honour his memory and celebrate the art he loved.

From the Festival committee:

“‘New wave’ British horror director Norman J. Warren was a fan of the festival and attended most years, as both official guest and regular punter. A friend and an inspiration – truly “the nicest man in the business” – he always had time to talk to people, encourage fledgling filmmakers, chat with fans and discuss his films. Norman died in 2021.

He is very much missed but his memory lives on. Our best-in-festival short film award has been named in Norman’s honour.

The DELTA Awards incorporating the NORMAN J WARREN trophy: we hope to attract submissions from genre filmmakers around the world. Entry is free, and we are looking for short films in three categories: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy.

The festival judging panel will award a Delta to the best Science Fiction short film, the best Horror short film, and the best Fantasy short film. The best film overall will receive the Norman J Warren Trophy.

We are pleased to confirm that the Chair of Judges for 2022 is cult screenwriter, critic and ‘Truffaut of smut’ David McGillivray, a lifelong friend of Norman’s. They met in 1967 when Norman was editing his first feature, Her Private Hell. Subsequently, David wrote two screenplays for Norman, Satan’s Slave (1976), and Terror (1978). Part of Susu (2018), Norman’s final film which he produced, was shot in McG’s house in London’s King’s Cross.”

David McGillivray – himself a wonderful raconteur and jolly nice chap (although he’ll deny it) will be in attendance at the event, which takes place at the Pendulum Hotel, Manchester on October 28th – 30th, 2022. Also confirmed as attending is League of Gentleman/Ghost Stories writer Jeremy Dyson. Tickets are available from Eventbrite and you can find updates on further guest announcements at https://fantastic-films.uk.

Filmmakers can submit their shorts to the competition via FilmFreeway.

The 2019 festival line-up with the organisers:
Pauline Peart, Norman J. Warren, Janina Faye, festival co-founder Tony Edwards, Julian Richards, Dez Skinn, Giannetto De Rossi, Sergio Stivaletti, Dana Gillespie, and Gil Lane-Young

Last year’s festival was a subdued affair since the man fundamental in keeping the event going for so long, Gil Lane-Young passed away only weeks before it was due to take place. Thanks to the hard work and passion of those involved, it did take place and featured fan favourite Frazer Hines and the legendary Britt Ekland as guests. Previous guests have included Ray Harryhausen, John Landis, Roger Corman, Ingrid Pitt, Jean Rollin, Paul Naschy, Ruggero Deodato, Umberto Lenzi, Crispin Glover, plus many more. It’s unique, relaxed family atmosphere makes it a joy to attend. We’ll see you there!

George R.R. Martin Joins Forces With Marvel Comics

Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin is bringing his Wild Cards stories to Marvel Comics. Marvel is adapting Martin’s 1987 first Wild Cards book, which continued as a three decade-long anthology series with stories by over forty contributors.

Spanning more than 25 novels and 20 short stories, the Wild Card series is set in an alternate history of post-World War II United States and follows humans who contracted the alien Wild Card virus, one that rewrites DNA and mutates survivors. Of those that survive, many acquire crippling or repulsive physical mutations and are thereby known as “Jokers”. Meanwhile, a minority of survivors acquire superpowered abilities and become known as “Aces” – of those, the people who acquire powers deemed trivial or useless are known as “Deuces”.

“As my fans may already know, the Wild Cards World holds a special place in my heart,” the author stated. “So to have the privilege of announcing that an industry titan like Marvel is going to produce the narrative from the beginning as a comic book brings me no end of joy.”

Paul Cornell and Mike Hawthorne have signed on as writer and artist, respectively, to create the limited comics series for Marvel. “Wild Cards is still a unique take on super heroes, a creation story that’s influenced everything since, but still maintains its power,” Cornell said. “It’s an honor and a pleasure to bring all these wonderful stories to their natural home at Marvel, and I hope to give George, Melinda and the rest of the Wild Cards Collective the credit they deserve for making the super hero myth new again.”

There have also been previous attempts to adapt Wild Cards to television, most recently at Peacock.

Marvel’s Wild Cards: The Drawing of the Cards #1 hits stands June 1st. Check out the full cover art by Steve Morris below:

Wild Cards comic book at Marvel first issue

Picocon 39 -Apocalypse – announced for March 2022

Picocon, the UK’s smallest long-running Science Fiction convention, has finally announced  details of the event. The convention will be in-person, hosted at Imperial College, London, on March 5th. The theme will be Apocalypse. The event will be capped at 100 attendees.

On-site guests include: the multi-award-winning novelist Bryony Pearce, who is known for both her YA and Adult fiction and debut author Louise Mumford, who’s novel Sleepless has been critically acclaimed.  Online only guests include Detroit-based apocalyptic Sci-Fi author A.J. Flowers and the Edgar Allen Poe award winning writer, Brendan DuBois.

Content will be streamed online for those who cannot attend the physical event.

Picocon is the annual Science Fiction & Fantasy convention run by the Imperial College Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, ICSF. It usually takes place on a Saturday in late February/early March, at the Imperial College’s Student Union. The event usually involved talks, panels, games and a pub quiz. It has a strong tradition of intelligent sci-fi combined with playfulness.

Tickets can be purchased here.