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Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ryan Kwanten fight for mankind in Seth Larney’s ‘2067’

Back row: Damian Walshe-Howling, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Deborah Mailman, Ryan Kwanten, Aaron Glenane; Front row Sana’a Shaik, Finn Little, Seth Larney, Leeanna Walsman (Photo credit Matt Byrne).

Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ryan Kwanten, Deborah Mailman, Aaron Glenane, Damian Walshe-Howling, Leeanna Walsman and Finn Little are starring in Seth Larney’s 2067.

Now shooting at the Adelaide Studios, the sci-fi mystery thriller is set in a deforested and oxygen-deprived world – the result of climate change – which forces humanity to look to the future for salvation.

Shout! Studios has pre-bought North American rights to the film produced by Arcadia’s Lisa Shaunessy and Kojo Entertainment’s Kate Croser.

Smit-McPhee plays Ethan Whyte, an arrogant and selfish underground tunnel worker who embarks on a journey through time that tests his faith in humanity.

Kwanten is Jude Mathers, a tunnel rat and Ethan’s protector who believes only humans can control their own fate.

Glenane is Richard Whyte, Ethan’s father and one of the greatest scientific minds of his time who is working on solving the oxygen crisis.

Mailman is Regina Jackson, a corporate powerhouse who is Richard’s benefactor and believes there is a future for humanity, but at what cost? The cast also includes newcomer Sana’a Shaik and Nowhere Boys’ Matt Testro.

A VFX supervisor turned writer-director, Larney made his feature directorial debut on Malaysian hit Tombiruo (which has been nominated for best Asian film at the AACTA Awards) after having worked on films such as Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Superman Returns and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Explaining the rationale for the deal with Shout! Studios, the filmed entertainment production and distribution arm of Shout! Factory, Shaunessy tells IF: “Shout! loved the film from the start and amongst several great US offers on the movie, they made the most compelling offer, showing a real passion for the material, the message and the great talent involved.”

Jordan Fields, Shout! Studios’ VP of acquisitions, said: “2067 uses climate change as a jumping off point into a time travel story of elitism, hope, sacrifice and possibility. We’re happy to see Seth Larney and his excellent cast realize this exciting thriller.”

The investors include Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation and Create NSW. Umbrella Entertainment will distribute in ANZ. The executive producers are Michael Rymer, Arcadia’s Alexandra Burke, Elevate Production Finance’s Craig McMahon, Grumpy Original’s James Boyce and Claire Evans, Umbrella’s Jeff Harrison and Ari Harrison, Spectrum Films’ Josh Pomeranz and Adam Scott, Cumulux FX’s Will Gammon and MDW Law’s Bryce Menzies and Clement Dunn.

Kew Media Distribution, which is handling the international rights, pitched the project at the American Film Market. Jonathan Ford, exec VP of sales and distribution, said: “This is an elevated sci-fi story that is very much character driven. This is where having actors of this caliber and gravitas pays great dividends. We believe the film has great breakout potential.”