Following his feature film directorial debut with the 2018 drama Yardie, Idris Elba has today confirmed his next project. British indie survival thriller Above the Below from Future Artists Entertainment. The project will shoot at Pinewood Studios in the UK under PACT/Equity.
Elba will co-direct the film with Martin Owen (The Loneliest Boy in The World). The script has been developed by Future Artists Entertainment, from an original idea by Martin Owen, written by screenwriters Elizabeth Morris, Matt Mitchell and Vicki Sargent. Cast will be announced soon.
The film is produced by Future Artists Entertainment’s Matt Williams (Bank Of Dave, PokerFace) and Gina Carter (See How They Run, Yardie) Former Managing Director of Goldcrest Films Pascal Degove will Executive Produce. Lionsgate will launch sales at the American Film Market at the end of this month.
Matt Williams commented: “We are beyond excited about Idris and Martin’s collaboration. This is a crazy rollercoaster of a movie that will have audiences on the edge of their seat! We have put together the best creative team the UK has to offer and I’m confident I’m confident we will deliver a visually spectacular and memorable movie experience.”
In Above the Below, a tight-knit trio of astronauts survive a chaotic and destructive re-entry to Earth, only to find themselves off course and completely cut off from the world. As their capsule begins to sink into the unknown depths of the ocean, their battle for survival has only just begun.
James Friend, Academy Award® winner for Best Cinematography for his work on All Quiet on the Western Front, will serve as director of photography, whilst First Assistant Director Ben Howard (Wonka, The French Dispatch) and Karl Hall (The Gentleman TV Series) will co-produce.
Other Heads of Department include Jonathan Houlding (The Martian, Life) Production Designer, Academy Award® winner Dominic Tuohy (The Batman, 1917) SFX Supervisor, Greg Powell (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Skyfall) Stunt Co-Ordinator, Pierre Bohanna (The Batman, The Flash) and Eleanor Baker (Sonic The Hedgehog 3, 47 Metres Down) Costume Designers.
