Last week Nexus 6 Films commenced principal photography of its debut feature film, Crush.
The brain child of Western Australian screenwriter John V. Soto, Crush tells the story of Julian Meadows – an American exchange student and disgraced Tae Kwon Do champion whose life is transformed into a living hell after being seduced by the mysterious yet beautiful, Anna.
Soto is co-directing with industry veteran Jeff Gerritsen and being supported by a talented production team including legendary Aussie editor Jason Ballantine, whose film credits include Wolf Creek, Rogue, Mission Impossible 2, Moulin Rouge, Star Wars, Charlotte’s Web and Happy Feet.
In addition, Nexus 6 Films has signed Australian heartthrob and Hollywood rising star Chris Egan to play the lead role of Julian.
After playing Nick Smith on Home and Away for more than three years, Egan moved to Los Angeles in 2003 to advance his acting career. His US television debut was in the miniseries Empire, followed by significant roles in the independent film Alpha Male and the feature movie Virgin Territory with Mischa Barton and Hayden Christensen. Egan also appears in feature movies Resident Evil: Extinction and Eragon, stars in Fox Broadcasting’s television series Vanished and is currently working on Pretty Handsome – a US television series starring Robert Wagner, Blythe Danner, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joseph Fiennes.
According to producer Deidre Kitcher, Egan has come a long way since Summer Bay.
‘Chris’ success in recent years speaks for itself and it’s not surprising he’s in such demand in the States. This is a huge coup for us, and to say we are delighted to be working with the man many have dubbed ‘the next Heath Ledger’ would be an understatement,’ said Kitcher.
Egan is supported by an experienced and talented cast including the Californian-born beauty Brooke Harman whose feature movie credits include Ned Kelly (with Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom) and Till Human Voices Wake Us (with Guy Pearce and Helena Bonham Carter); WAAPA-graduates Gemma Pranita and Jenna Lind; fellow Aussie hunk Christian Clark whose feature movie credits include Prey starring opposite Natalie Bassingthwaighte (written by Crush director/writer John V. Soto), Gabriel, Gates of Hell and $quid; and Perth-born Kane Manera who, in addition to feature films Dead Serious, Sludge, The Blood Shed, Cass and Goodbye Baby, maintains a recurring role on America’s longest running television show The Guiding Light.
Filming of the $2 million dollar thriller is taking place in Perth, Western Australia and will wrap on 8 February 2008.
Crush is planned to open in cinemas across the United States in Autumn 2009, with an Australian release expected later that year.
[release from Buzz Corporate Communications]