Writer/Director Luke Sparke (Occupation Rainfall, Bring Him To Me) is adapting author Ethan Pettus’ sci-fi military novel Primitive War, pitting soldiers against dinosaurs…in 1968?! Per Deadline, the sci-fi horror film is lining up a rather robust cast.
Jeremy Piven (“Entourage“, Old School), Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”, “Lucifer”), Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood”, Glorious) and Nick Wechsler (“The Boys“) are set to headline Primitive War.
The dino horror film follows “an elite recon unit known as the Vulture Squad, who, in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War that is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. They soon discover they are not alone. Dinosaurs have been let loose in the jungles.”
Anthony Ingruber (Age of Adaline, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Aaron Glenane (Interceptor, Danger Close), Carlos Sanson Jr (Bump, Legacies), Ana Thu Nguyen (Mortal Kombat 2), Adolphus Waylee (Nautilus), Richard Brancatisano (The Messenger), Marcus Johnson (Talk to Me, Bring Him to Me) and Jake Ryan (Savage, Underbelly) also star.
“I was captivated by the imagery surrounding Ethan’s book and the story it told. I’ve worked hard on capturing that essence but also the grittiness, horror aspects and military edge. My vision is to feel like the characters have walked out of the film Platoon and into the jaws of the greatest predators the planet has ever known,” Sparke told Deadline during pre-production. Ethan Pettus added: “I’m thrilled to see Luke’s interpretation of my work. I know his team is giving this project everything they’ve got.”
Primitive War first published in 2017 and marked the start of a book series. The official book synopsis: “A search and rescue team known as Vulture Squad is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. As they hunt through the primordial depths of the valley, they discover ancient horrors that not only threaten to unravel their minds, but to end their lives as well. When the casualties mount, the men of Vulture Squad must abandon their human nature and give in to their savage instincts in order to survive…the Primitive War.”
Principal photography on Primitive War is set to begin soon on the Gold Coast of Australia, employing over 200 local crew members. In other words, expect a big production that should hopefully deliver on the novel’s graphic violence.
