News

Exclusive: The Andrea Iervolino Company has launched commercial film label Aventura and unveiled it as a partner on upcoming action thriller Deep Water.

Directed by Renny Harlin, the previously announced production stars Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, and Nashi, seen recently in Chinese blockbuster Creation of the Gods 2 which grossed $385 millions worldwide.

Aventura will be focused on high-concept, commercial films, blending action, suspense, and mass appeal, and will be positioned alongside The Andrea Iervolino Company’s line-up focused on auteur-driven and biographical titles such as Maserati: The Brothers, Bugatti: The Genius, and Carnival at the End of Days.

“With Aventura, we are expanding our storytelling horizons and aiming to deliver bold, thrilling entertainment to audiences worldwide in 2D and 3D,” said CEO and founder Andrea Iervolino. “This move reflects our dedication to cinematic diversity — from prestige biopics to global action spectacles.”

Deep Water follows a group of international passengers flying from Los Angeles to Shanghai.

In Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, the story unfolds as an epic mythic tale that intertwines political complexity, supernatural elements, and a struggle for power. The conflict between King Yin Shou and Ji Fa propels the film, with both sides competing for the Fengshen Bang scroll, a mystical object that could shift the balance of destiny.

This struggle explores themes of vengeance, authority, and fate, creating a compelling narrative against a backdrop of societal turmoil. The film distinguishes itself by blending personal drama—Ji Fa’s internal conflicts and his connection with Deng Chanyu—with grand mythological storytelling.

The plot navigates its intricate narrative without overwhelming viewers. The film skillfully uses visual storytelling and concise dialogue to manage its complex character dynamics. Director Wuershan crafts an approach that makes the story accessible, even for audiences unfamiliar with the first film.

The pacing strikes a careful balance, maintaining tension...

A year and a half after the release of the first installment, “Creation of the Gods II” is finally out in the world. Chockful with even more epic battles, mythological creatures, deities, immortals and black magic curses, the supercharged high fantasy blockbuster is well armed to take the Chinese New Year box office by storm.

The story picks up right after the events of the first film. Tyrant King Zhou has been resurrected by the fox spirit and orders Commander Wen Zhong (Wu Hsing-kuo) and his returning army to leave immediately and attack Xiqi. There, Ji Fa (Yu Shi), Jian Ziya (Huang Bo) and their Kunlun immortal sidekicks must protect the besieged city against female general Deng (Nashi) and her troops, which include four giants and their magical weapons. Meanwhile, Prince Yin Jiao (Chen Muchi), who was beheaded at the end of the previous movie, is resurrected by the great...

Leading Chinese film studio, Alibaba Pictures has announced a slate of seven tentpole movies that it hopes will reinvigorate the mainland China box office.

The titles straddle martial arts, drama, history, sci-fi and comedy and are presented as the first elements of the company’s second five year plan.

They were revealed on Monday at a major event within the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival and with large numbers of relevant producers, directors and stars in attendance.

“At a time when the film market needs vigor, we need more tentpole productions to keep it working,” said Li Jie, Alibaba Pictures president. In notes provided, the company pointed out that the mainland China box office last year recovered to 85% of its pre-pandemic level and that, so far in 2024, the Chinese box office is the world’s largest.

However, there are worries that recent film industry prosperity may falter. Indeed, 2024 box office...

Renny Harlin is one busy filmmaker at the moment, with his The Strangers: Chapter 1 headed our way here in 2024 and a brand new shark attack horror movie also coming soon.

Twenty five years after the release of Deep Blue Sea, director Renny Harlin is headed back into shark-infested waters with the upcoming Deep Water, we learned last year.

Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley will star in the upcoming shark movie, and Screen Daily exclusively shares a first look image this morning. Check it out up above.

Deep Water is coming soon from Arclight Films. Stay tuned for more.

Molly Wright (Lionsgate’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Angus Sampson (FX’s Fargo), Kelly Gale (Lionsgate’s Plane), Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi (Creation Of The Gods I: Kingdom Of Storms) also star.

Deep Water tells the tale of an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane,...

Arclight Films has released the first-look image of Simmons/Hamilton Productions’ survival thriller Deep Water starring Aaron Eckhart and Molly Belle Wright.

Renny Harlin directs the story of a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai that crash-lands in shark-infested waters, forcing the international passengers to overcome their differences and survive.

Ben Kingsley also stars in Deep Water, which is in post after wrapping production at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain. The cast includes Angus Sampson, Kelly Gale, Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi.

Arclight Films’ Ying Ye, Gabba Post’s Neal Kingston,...

Twenty five years after the release of Deep Blue Sea, director Renny Harlin is headed back into shark-infested waters with the upcoming Deep Water, we learned last year.

Screen Daily now reports this morning that Harlin is throwing two big name actors into the Deep Water. Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley will star in the upcoming shark movie.

Molly Wright (Lionsgate’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Angus Sampson (FX’s Fargo), Kelly Gale (Lionsgate’s Plane), Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi (Creation Of The Gods I: Kingdom Of Storms) also star.

Screen Daily notes in their report this morning that filming on Deep Water has actually already wrapped. “Arclight Films continues worldwide sales at EFM this week.”

Deep Water tells the tale of an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane, en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai, is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters.

Arclight Films has announced that Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley star in Renny Harlin’s survival thriller Deep Water, which is in post. Arclight continues worldwide sales at EFM this week.

The first feature greenlit by the stand-alone label Simmons/Hamilton Productions wrapped at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain.

The lead cast includes Molly Wright (Lionsgate’s upcoming The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Angus Sampson (FX’s Fargo), Kelly Gale (Lionsgate’s Plane), Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi (Creation Of The Gods I: Kingdom Of Storms).

Harlin, whose credits include Die Hard 2,...