Anthony Mackie’s Desert Warrior is lastly set to premiere on the Zurich Movie Competition after years of delays.
The Hollywood-style motion epic – filmed in Saudi Arabia in 2021 – stars the actor alongside Ben Kingsley and Aiysha Hart and is directed by Rupert Wyatt.
It is going to now be unveiled on 28 September at a gala screening attended by members of the solid, in response to organisers.
With a reported finances of $150 million, Desert Warrior is produced by Saudi-owned MBC Studios in partnership with US producer Jeremy Bolt – recognized for the Resident Evil franchise – and Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios.
It has been promoted as a landmark challenge in Saudi Arabia’s drive to create international-standard productions for world audiences.
The movie was shot within the desert landscapes surrounding NEOM, the positioning of the futuristic metropolis being constructed in north-western Saudi Arabia.
Set in seventh century pre-Islamic Arabia, the story portrays a land divided by rival tribes.
Ben seems as Emperor Kisra, a feared chief with a fame for ruthlessness.
When Aiysha’s character, Princess Hind, refuses to develop into Kisra’s concubine, she flees into the desert and locations her belief in Anthony’s character, a mysterious bandit.
Collectively they unite warring tribes to confront Kisra’s military.
Selection stated that in response to manufacturing sources the movie endured a protracted and troublesome post-production interval.
It reportedly confronted reshoots, recuts and disputes amongst its backers, throughout which filmmaker Rupert was quickly faraway from the challenge by MBC earlier than later being reinstated.
The Saudi Movie Fee supported the challenge by way of a money rebate scheme designed to draw worldwide productions, whereas the nation’s High quality of Life programme additionally supplied backing as a part of efforts to develop a home movie trade.
AGC Worldwide – the gross sales and distribution division of AGC Studios – is dealing with worldwide rights.
Anthony is a Juilliard Faculty graduate who first gained recognition in movies resembling 8 Mile and The Damage Locker.
He rose to world prominence within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Sam Wilson, also referred to as Falcon, later taking up the mantle of Captain America.
Alongside blockbuster roles, Mackie has appeared in dramas together with The Banker and Detroit, balancing unbiased initiatives with main franchises.
