Ryan Kwanten in ‘2067.’
The production arm of Futurism.com, a New York-based platform that covers science and technology, has joined the producers of Seth Larney’s sci-fi mystery thriller 2067.
Futurism Studios is investing in the production, its president of production Jason Taylor is lending his expertise to the VFX process and the film will be cross-promoted on the site, which has 10 million visits per month.
Taylor joined Futurism Studios last November from Bryan Singer’s Bad Hat Harry Productions, where he was president of production. He served as a co-producer on multiple Singer films including X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past and X-Men: Apocalypse.
He has also produced independent projects including British thriller UWantMe2KillHim? and the Netflix horror/mystery The Taking of Deborah Logan.
“Jason comes from the big budget film world and has been a great motivator for our team, especially with what we’re trying to achieve in terms of scale,” Arcadia’s Lisa Shaunessy, who is producing with Kojo Entertainment’s Kate Croser, tells IF.
“We hope for the broadest audience possible and know that this will be the beginning of a strong fanbase build for the movie.”
Taylor said: “I’ve known Lisa and Seth since my first film production and the ability to bring Futurism into this collaboration has been tremendously rewarding. The film completely reflects the visions and desires for Futurism’s releases and I couldn’t be more excited for it to be our first scripted feature.”
He spent six weeks in Australia working on the production at post house Spectrum Films and Byron Bay-based CumulusVFX, and will return for the VFX finals and the sound mix.
Futurism Studios president Geoff Clark said: “Futurism’s commitment to films that reflect the power of a positive future will continue to set us apart and identify this brand to our fans. With our millions of unique views a month we are hoping to be a catalyst for the audience that has relied on us for factual content will now also enjoy the fiction we are supporting and creating.”
Set in a deforested and oxygen-deprived world reeling from climate change, 2067 stars Kodi Smit-McPhee as Ethan Whyte, a narcissistic underground tunnel worker who embarks on a journey through time that tests his faith in himself and in humanity.
Ryan Kwanten plays Jude Mathers, who serves as Ethan’s protector and his conscience, with Aaron Glenane as Richard Whyte, Ethan’s father, and Finn Little as the young Ethan.
Deborah Mailman is Regina Jackson, a corporate powerhouse who is Richard’s benefactor and believes there is a future for humanity. The cast includes Damian Walshe-Howling and Leeanna Walsman.
Chinese distributor JL Vision will release the film on at least 10,000 screens next year in a deal brokered by Odin’s Eye Entertainment. Umbrella is the Australian distributor. Screen Australia, Create NSW and the SAFC are among the investors.
The sales agent for the rest of the world, Kew Media Distribution, pre-sold North American rights to Shout! Studios and aims to close more deals at the Cannes market.
Shaunessy added: “I’m always excited to bring new partnerships to the Australian film industry. Jason has a strong connection to Australia and brings a new platform that could be of benefit to the increasing number of science fact and fiction films made in Australia.”