Afterburn (2025 film)
| Afterburn | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | J. J. Perry |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | Afterburn by Scott Chitwood Paul Ens |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | José David Montero |
| Edited by | Luke Dunkley |
| Music by | Roque Baños |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Saban Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 106 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $56.7 million[2] |
Afterburn is a 2025 American post-apocalyptic science fiction action film directed by J. J. Perry and written by Matt Johnson and Nimród Antal and stars Dave Bautista, Samuel L. Jackson, Olga Kurylenko and Kristofer Hivju. It is based on the Red 5 Comics series of the same name by Scott Chitwood, Paul Ens and Wayne Nichols.[3] The story is set a decade after the Earth's technology was decimated by a solar flare.[3] Original development began in 2018, then halted, and restarted in 2024.[3]
Plot
A former soldier turned treasure hunter seeks out objects for his powerful clients.
Cast
- Dave Bautista as Jake, an ex-soldier who works as a treasure hunter seeking pre-flare objects for powerful clients, among these being the Mona Lisa.[3]
- Samuel L. Jackson as Valentine, a freedom fighter.[3]
- Olga Kurylenko as Drea, a freedom fighter.[4]
- Kristofer Hivju[4]
Production
In March 2008, it was reported Tobey Maguire was attached to co-produce Afterburn, an adaptation of the comic of the same name by Scott Chitwood and Paul Ens published by Red 5 Comics, alongside Neal H. Moritz' Original Film.[5] In September of that year, it was reported that Ryan Kavanaugh and Relativity Media had come aboard to produce Afterburn.[6]
In November 2010, it was reported that Gerard Butler had entered negotiations to star in Afterburn with Antoine Fuqua in negotiations to direct.[7]
In April 2012, it was announced that Tommy Wirkola would direct with Fuqua having left the project to instead direct Butler in Olympus Has Fallen.[8]
On February 15, 2018, it was reported that Jung Byung-gil would direct the film, from a script by Matt Johnson and Nimród Antal with revisions by William N. "Bill" Collage;[4][9] In February 2024, J. J. Perry was hired as the new director, and actors Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson joined the cast as the leads.[3]
The film was originally to be produced by Original Film (Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe), G-BASE (Alan Siegel and Gerard Butler), and Endurance Media (Steve Richards) and Lewis Taewan Kim.[9] The film's executive producers were to be Steve Barnett and James Tomlinson.[9] Financing was to be provided by Endurance Media.[9] With the departure of Gerard Butler and entrance of Dave Bautista, G-BASE withdrew to be replaced by Dogbone Entertainment and Bautista with Original Film and Endurance Media remaining involving in the film.[3]
Filming
Principal photography began on May 10, 2024, in Bratislava, Slovakia.[3][4][10] Filming wrapped on June 27.[11] José David Montero serves as the cinematographer.[12]
Post-production
In May 2025, Fourth Chance Productions was awarded $7.7 million by an arbitrator over fraud tied to the financing of the project after backer of the movie, Tristian Peter, was found to have defrauded the company and breached a purchase agreement in which he committed $7.5 million toward the production of the movie in exchange for an executive producer credit.[2] Luke Dunkley edited the film.[13]
Music
In July 2025, it was reported that Roque Baños had composed the score for the film.[14]
Release
Afterburn was released in select U.S. theaters on August 22, 2025.[15][16]
References
- ^ "Afterburn (15)". British Board of Film Classification. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ a b ‘Afterburn’ Production Company Awarded $7.7 Million Over Financing Fraud
- ^ a b c d e f g h Wiseman, Andreas (February 6, 2024). "Dave Bautista To Star In Futuristic Action-Adventure 'Afterburn' With Samuel L. Jackson; Neal H. Moritz Among Producers Of Red 5 Comic Adaptation With Black Bear & CAA Media Finance Taking Project To EFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ritman, Alex (May 10, 2024). "Olga Kurylenko, Kristofer Hivju Join Dave Bautista, Samuel L. Jackson in 'Afterburn' as Filming on Black Bear Action Adventure Gets Underway (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Tobey Maguire producing 'Afterburn'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "Relativity nabs Schmidt's 'Killer' spec". Variety. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "Gerard Butler in talks for 'Afterburn'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Schmidlin, Charlie (April 17, 2012). "'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' Helmer Tommy Wirkola Feels The 'Afterburn' With Gerard Butler". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 15, 2018). "Jung Byung-Gil To Direct Gerard Butler In 'Afterburn'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Jenkins, Carolyn (May 10, 2024). "'Afterburn' Begins Filming With Samuel L. Jackson, Dave Bautista and More". Collider.com. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
- ^ Klawans, Justin (June 27, 2024). "Dave Bautisa's Afterburn Just Got One Step Closer to Release". Collider. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ "José David Montero Resume" (PDF). Independent Artists Group. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ "Luke Dunkley Resume". Echo Artists. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ "Roque Banos Scoring J.J. Perry's 'Afterburn'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Billington, Alex (July 2, 2025). "Post-Apocalyptic Action Thriller 'Afterburn' Trailer with Dave Bautista | FirstShowing.net". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
- ^ Symchuk, Adam (July 21, 2025). "Here Is Every Movie Releasing in Theaters in August 2025". MovieWeb. Retrieved August 3, 2025.