Desert Warrior is an upcoming historical action drama film directed by Rupert Wyatt, who co-wrote the screenplay with Erica Beeney, David Self, and Gary Ross. The film stars Anthony Mackie and Aiysha Hart.
| Desert Warrior | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Rupert Wyatt |
| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Guillermo Garza |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Dan Levy |
Production companies |
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| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $140 million[1]–150 million[2] |
Premise
editArabia was full of disparate, feuding tribes in the seventh century, one of which was led by the merciless Emperor Kisra. After he comes across the Arabian Princess Hind, Kisra attempts to make her his concubine. Hind refuses, however, and escapes with an unknown warrior.[3]
Cast
edit- Anthony Mackie
- Aiysha Hart as the Arabian Princess Hind
- Sharlto Copley
- Ghassan Massoud as King Numan
- Sami Bouajila
- Lamis Ammar
- Géza Röhrig
- Ben Kingsley as Emperor Kisra
Production
editDesert Warrior was announced in November 2021 as a film produced by JB Pictures and AGC Studios along with MBC Studios, the Saudi-backed production arm of MBC. It was written by Rupert Wyatt, Erica Beeney, David Self, and Gary Ross, with Wyatt directing the film as well. The cast includes Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Sharlto Copley, Ghassan Massoud, Sami Bouajila, Lamis Ammar, Géza Röhrig, and Ben Kingsley.[3] It was one of the first major English-language film produced by MBC Studios, and it was the largest production to film in Saudi Arabia. MBC saw it as an anchor for the nascent film industry that was being established in the region, where key crewmembers were brought in for the project to effectively train and develop Saudi crews learning about the industry.[4][1] The crew size was approximately 450–500 people each day.[5]
Principal photography began in September 2021 in Neom, Saudi Arabia,[3][6] and it was completed by February 2022.[7] The film had a long post-production period, and it plans to seek buyers in the first quarter of 2024, targeting a film festival debut before a wide theatrical release.[6] In October 2024, it was reported that Wyatt had briefly exited the film due to creative differences, but later returned to finish editing the film. Guillermo Garza serves as the cinematographer, Richard Mettler and Kelley Dixon serve as editors, and Dan Levy was the composer for the film.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Lodderhose, Diana (December 8, 2021). "AGC Studios' Stuart Ford Talks Shooting $140M Desert Warrior In KSA: "The Arab-Speaking World Is A Coming Force"". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ Ross, Rafa Sales (December 8, 2023). "Neom's Wayne Borg and Producer Eric Hedayat Discuss 'Desert Warrior' and Sustainability as Key to Saudi's Booming Media Production". Variety. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c Ritman, Alex (November 15, 2021). "Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart to Lead Saudi-Backed Period Epic Desert Warrior From Rupert Wyatt". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (November 24, 2021). "MBC Studios' Saudi Arabia Boss on "New Era" as A-List Features Desert Warrior, Kandahar Make History in the Kingdom". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (December 2, 2023). "Neom's Wayne Borg Talks Current Productions, Telfaz11 Project Partnership And Company Ethos Of "Making Things Happen" — Red Sea Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (December 4, 2023). "MBC Studios Boss Christina Wayne Talks Strategy & Upcoming Projects Such As Anthony Mackie Starrer 'Desert Warrior' – Red Sea Studio". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (February 2, 2022). "Hot Package: Anthony Mackie & Priyanka Chopra Jonas In Kevin Sullivan Action Spec 'Ending Things'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (October 30, 2024). "Inside Saudi Arabia's Big Cinema Swing 'Desert Warrior,' The Delayed $150M Historical Epic Still Being Readied For Battle". Deadline Hollywood.