Troubled UK-Australian co-production Singularity may be set for further filming later this year.
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu, who appears in the film, recently told the Indian media that she had spoken to director Roland Joffé and further filming was set for April.
“I have always maintained that Singularity isn’t in major financial trouble,” she recently told the Hindustan Times. “I met Roland some time ago and he was excited. I’ve two days of shooting left, which I will complete in April, then we will work on promotions, so financial issues don’t figure at all.”
The company behind the $28 million production, Singularity Productions, remains in liquidation owing an estimated $1.5 million to third-party creditors. Worrells Solvency & Forensic Accountants, which has been managing Singularity Productions since last October, held another meeting of creditors this week in Brisbane.
Contrarian Tax Unit’s Brett Thornquest, who is assisting the administrators, confirmed that some shooting is planned to take place in the UK, followed by final post-production. Outstanding creditors will then be paid.
Worrells partner Michael Griffin said he was not aware of specific plans for further filming although everyone involved hopes to release the film. “All parties are working towards that end,” he said.
About 90 per cent of Singularity has already been filmed according to sources except for the ‘modern’ section of the tale, which follows marine biologist Jay Fennel (Josh Hartnett) who undertakes a near-fatal dive to save his wife (originally set to be played by Neve Campbell, who pulled out before filming began) while exploring an 18th century merchant ship wreckage. He then envisions India in 1778 where British captain James Stewart (also played by Hartnett) is about to embark on a dangerous mission while falling in love with a beautiful palace guard (Basu). The film was initially shot in Australia in late-2010 before moving to India for the second leg of shooting in early-2011.
If the film can be cut together and released, it would trigger the lucrative Australian Producer Offset tax rebate, which would more than cover the unpaid debts.
However, the strained relationship between Australian producers Grant and Dale Bradley and Belgian producer Paul Breuls remains a key stumbling block to completing the film.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.