Primitive War

Primitive War
Official release poster
Directed byLuke Sparke
Written by
  • Ethan Pettus
  • Luke Sparke
Based onPrimitive War by Ethan Pettus
Produced by
  • Carmel Imrie
  • Carly Sparke
  • Luke Sparke
Starring
CinematographyWade Muller
Edited byLuke Sparke
Music byFrederik Wiedmann
Production
company
Sparke Films
Distributed by
Release date
  • 21 August 2025 (2025-08-21)
Running time
135 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Primitive War is an upcoming Australian science fiction action horror film[1][2] directed by Luke Sparke and based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Ethan Pettus, who also co-wrote the film.[3] Starring Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, Nick Wechsler and Jeremy Piven, the film is set in a Vietnam jungle valley during 1968 and follows a recon unit who carries out a rescue mission for a Green Beret platoon and are attacked by de-extinct dinosaurs.

Premise

During the Vietnam War in 1968, a recon unit known as Vulture Squad is sent to an isolated jungle valley to rescue a missing Green Beret platoon. They soon discover that de-extincted dinosaurs inhabit the jungle; the result of a Soviet experiment gone wrong.

Cast

Production

In February 2022, it was announced that Sparke Films had secured the rights to a film adaptation of the 2017 novel Primitive War: Opiate Undertow by Ethan Pettus, who helped co-write the film's script.[4][5] Luke Sparke was announced to be directing the film.[5]

In April 2024, Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, Nick Wechsler, and Jeremy Piven were cast as the film's leads.[6][7] Filming took place on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[8]

First look images and a poster of the film were released by Collider in August 2024.[9] Speaking on why he chose to adapt the Primitive War novel into a film, Sparke stated, "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."[10]

Release

Before its theatrical release, Primitive War headlined a panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025, marking the first time an Australian film was a panel headliner at the convention.[11]

Primitive War is set to be theatrically released by Rialto Distribution in Australia on 21 August 2025. The film will receive a wide theatrical release on the same day in the United States by Fathom Entertainment.[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://collider.com/primitive-war-images-poster/
  2. ^ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/primitive-war-trailer-ryan-kwanten-1236177653/
  3. ^ "The Ultraviolent, R-Rated Jurassic Movie You've Been Waiting For Just Dropped A New Trailer At SDCC 2025". Screen Rant. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Everything We Know About Primitive War". CBR. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Luke Sparke to Direct 'Primitive War' Novel Adaptation (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Jeremy Piven, Tricia Helfer Cast In Primitive War". Pop Geeks. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Ryan Kwanten Battles Dinosaurs in Vietnam in 'Primitive War' Trailer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Jeremy Piven, Ryan Kwanten Face Dinosaurs in the Jungle as 'Primitive War' Drops First Footage". Variety. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  9. ^ "This Wild Horror Movie Brings Dinosaurs to the Vietnam War in First Images [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  10. ^ "'Primitive War' Poster and Images Introduce Vietnam War Soldiers in Dino Action Movie". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Australian Indie Film 'Primitive War' Makes Comic Con History". Variety Australia. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  12. ^ "'Primitive War' – Dinosaur Action Thriller Heads to Theaters Next Month". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  13. ^ "War film that 'happens to have dinosaurs' teased with first look trailer". The Mirror US. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.