Aussie directing brothers to bring sci-fi production home
The Spierig brothers
A new science fiction film by two Australian brothers will be filmed in Australia next year.
The film, Predestination by Peter and Michael Spierig, who wrote and directed vampire film Daybreakers with Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill, is scheduled for 2013 with pre-production and casting underway.
On the international sales front, Arclight Films has picked up the film and will be representing it at the Cannes film market over the next week.
The film is an adaptation of short story All You Zombies by classic sci-fi writer Robert A Heinlein.
The Spierig Brothers said, despite the name, it’s not a ‘Zombie flick’.
The film is about a time-travelling secret agent sent throughout the ages to kill histories greatest serial killers. On his final assignment he must team with his younger self to kill a murderer that has always eluded him.
The Spierig Brothers said: “This is one of our favourite short stories for the simple fact that we can confidently say, this is unlike anything you’ve ever read before, truly original. Heinlein is considered one of the great science fiction masters along side Phillip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke.”
Sydney-based I, Robot director Alex Proyas last month announced he would adapt Heinlein’s The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag.
Predestination’s producers Patrick McDonald of Wolfhound Pictures and Tim McGahan of Blacklab Entertainment brought the project to Arclight.
McDonald said: “We are immensely excited to be working with writer/directors as talented as Peter and Michael on such a singularly unique and imaginative sci-fi thriller in Predestination. A film that is certain to take moviegoers and sci-fi fans to another level.”
Clay Epstein, VP of sales and acquisitions for Arclight Films said: “There is such fantastic talent coming out of Australia right now and we are thrilled to be working with Michael and Peter who are really at the forefront of this. With the Spierig brothers at the helm, Ethan Hawke delving into one of his best played genres, Predestination is sure to be ideal for the marketplace.”
Daybreakers grossed $US50m after a world premiere at 2010’s Toronto International Film festival.
The Spierig brothers had aimed to helm a Dark Crystal sequel but the project has fallen over. The Brothers have also received Screen Australia funding for the development of Jungle, produced by Emile Sherman and Iain Canning, based on young Australian Yossi Ghinsberg’s experience lost in the Bolivian jungle.
