Movies
Action-Thriller ‘The Base’ Begins Production
Not a lot of details out on this one yet, but XLrator Media and Benattar/Thomas Productions have begun principal photography on the new action-thriller The Base. Starring Cam Gigandet (Magnificent Seven, Twilight) and directed by Jesse Gustafson (Day 39), XLrator plans to release the film worldwide under their Turbo label which is dedicated to action films.
The script was written by Guy Stevenson (The Last Heist) and based off an original story from Rick Benattar and Nigel Thomas. Gigandet stars as the leader of a band of military prisoners, similar to the Dirty Dozen, who have to fight off a terrorist attack on a remote prison in which they are being held. Little does this ragtag group know that this prison is actually a cover for a secret drone facility.
The Base is the fourth action-thriller from Benattar/Thomas Productions as part of an overall production and global distribution deal with XLrator Media. The companies have previously partnered on Paradox starring Zoë Bell and Malik Yoba and the upcoming releases The Last Heist starring Henry Rollins (in theaters June 17, 2016) and The Fixer starring Tom Hopper (“Black Sails”) (in theaters November 4, 2016).
About the Director:
Director Jesse Gustafson is a military veteran and a Columbia Film School graduate who has directed and performed in over 40 stage productions. His film work includes writing and directing the short film Day 39, which was a finalist for a student Academy Award in 2015, and writing Ace of Spades, which was an Academy Nicholl Fellowship finalist.
Brendan Fraser is back for the upcoming fourth installment in The Mummy franchise from directors Radio Silence, and Michael Johnston (Obsession) is now in talks to join him.
The Hollywood Reporter lets us know tonight that Michael Johnston is in “early talks” to join The Mummy 4, which will release in theaters on October 15, 2027 via Universal.
Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and John Hannah will reprise their iconic roles as Rick O’Connell, Evelyn O’Connell, and Jonathan Carnahan in the upcoming movie.
Radio Silence duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not, Scream 5-6) are directing from a script by David Coggeshall (Orphan: First Kill).
Plot details are being kept under wraps at this time, but the brand new sequel is expected to disregard the events of the third movie, in which Rachel Weisz did not appear.
“It’s just really beautiful and scary and sweeping, and it’s awesome,” Gillet teases. Bettinelli-Olpin adds that the film “has all of the heart and the character that you could hope for.”
A remake of the classic Universal monster movie that took an action-adventure approach, The Mummy was released in 1999 and grossed $417 million worldwide. It was followed by The Mummy Returns in 2001 and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in 2008.