Gareth Edwards made a remarkable debut back in 2010 with Monsters. After production began on Edwards’ follow-up film, Godzilla, last week, news now comes that the sequel to his first film, entitled Monsters: Dark Continent, has begun production as well.
Edwards is still on board as an executive producer, and he hands over the reigns to Tom Green (Misfits), who will be making his own feature debut behind the camera here.
Screen International report that principal photography is officially underway now out in Jordan, with a six-week shoot planned, including a week of filming in Detroit after Jordan.
In Monsters: Dark Continent, Infected Zones have spread across the world. While US military try to wipe out the monsters, they soon realize they face resistance from a number of corners.
The official announcement also brings with it our first piece of casting news on the film.
Johnny Harris (Welcome to the Punch), Sam Keeley (What Richard Did), and Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones) will be taking the leads, and it will be interesting to see if Green goes in the same direction as Edwards, casting locals in the film for its extras.
Green in directing from a script by Jay Basu (Fast Girls), with Vertigo Films’ co-founders, Ben Pugh and Rory Aitken (Shifty, Welcome to the Punch), producing.
As of yet, there’s no word on when we can expect Monsters: Dark Continent to arrive on our screens. But with production now officially underway, a mid-2014 release date is probably quite likely. The original film was one of the most memorable debuts in recent memory – and, in my opinion, of all time – and I’m definitely interested to see what Green does with the sequel. Here’s to hoping that the production out in Jordan and Detroit will run smoothly, and that it won’t be long before it arrives in theatres.
Producer Allan Niblo of Vertigo said: “Monsters: Dark Continent is a sci-fi action film that remains true to the artistry and intelligence of its prequel Monsters as well as providing the excitement, thrills and set pieces of a genre film. We’re very excited to see Tom Green’s vision unfold.”
Producer James Richardson added: “We are delighted to be working with this incredible new team – 42’s Ben Pugh and Rory Aitken are two very talented producers, Jay Bassu has written an excellent script, we have a brilliant cast and Tom Green is one of the most exciting new directors coming out of the UK.”
42’s Pugh said: “Gareth Edwards created a rich and evocative sci-fi world with Monsters and it’s a privilege to go deeper into that world for Monsters: Dark Continent with Tom Green, Vertigo and a very exciting cast.”
