Mortis Rex
Encyclopedia
Mortis Rex is a Roman-themed upcoming supernatural action thriller film, set in 123 A.D. and due to begin production in early-to-mid 2011, tentatively scheduled to begin filming in Spring 2012, and with plans to complete and release later that year. Peter Briggs
is set to direct and the film's crew will include James Jacks
as the lead producer.
movie he co-wrote with Guillermo del Toro
was released in 2004. Briggs' work on the still-in-development Paramount Pictures
project Foreverman (for producers Robert Evans and Stan Lee
) further stalled him completing the first draft until late 2007.
British-based sales company Intandem picked up the project within a week of Briggs going to market with the script, which was formally announced in worldwide trades on November 5, 2008. Intandem began selling secondary territories during the American Film Market
, in what was a crushed economy following that year's stock market crash.
An article covering the Market on the website Bloody Disgusting reported that the plotline revolves around "a disgraced Roman war hero who comes face to face with a supernatural beast causing horrendous deaths". Bloody Disgusting followed up with an article showcasing some of the movie's concept art, with fan reaction overwhelmingly enthusiastic. A third article at the time of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
featured additional concept art, while a fourth featured an interview with Briggs, talking in depth about the production.
Shortly thereafter, legendary film producer James Jacks
boarded the project. Jacks' involvement in the movie was reported in Variety and other worldwide trades on October 27, 2009, coinciding with that year's American Film Market
.
and Park Road Post
. On November 16, 2010, Briggs appeared on TVNZ's Good Morning, where he suggested that should either project be based out of New Zealand, they may shoot at Wellington's Avalon studios.
An official Facebook
page for the movie opened on March 30, 2011, featuring advance concept art from the movie.
Peter Briggs
Peter Briggs is a British born and based director, producer, screenwriter, and concept artist; hired generally by overseas Hollywood motion picture studios. Although having worked in the motion picture industry for close to 20 years, he is best known for his work on the acclaimed film Hellboy...
is set to direct and the film's crew will include James Jacks
James Jacks
James Jacks is a film producer who has in recent years produced several high-budget films. His credits include:*The Mummy*Dazed and Confused*Tombstone*Down to Earth*The Hunted*The Scorpion King*The Mummy Returns...
as the lead producer.
Development
The inspiration for the project originally came to Briggs during a vacation to Rome in 2001, although due to pressure of work assignments Briggs would not begin scripting the project until after the HellboyHellboy (film)
Hellboy is a 2004 supernatural superhero film, starring Ron Perlman, John Hurt and Selma Blair, directed by Guillermo del Toro. The film is based on the Dark Horse Comics work Hellboy: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola. It was produced by Revolution Studios, and distributed by Columbia Pictures...
movie he co-wrote with Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro is a Mexican director, producer, screenwriter, novelist and designer. He is mostly known for his acclaimed films, Blade II, Pan's Labyrinth and the Hellboy film franchise. He is a frequent collaborator with Ron Perlman, Federico Luppi and Doug Jones...
was released in 2004. Briggs' work on the still-in-development Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
project Foreverman (for producers Robert Evans and Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
) further stalled him completing the first draft until late 2007.
British-based sales company Intandem picked up the project within a week of Briggs going to market with the script, which was formally announced in worldwide trades on November 5, 2008. Intandem began selling secondary territories during the American Film Market
American Film Market
The American Film Market is a film industry event held each year at the beginning of November in Santa Monica, California. About 8,000 people attend the eight day event to network and to sell and acquire films...
, in what was a crushed economy following that year's stock market crash.
An article covering the Market on the website Bloody Disgusting reported that the plotline revolves around "a disgraced Roman war hero who comes face to face with a supernatural beast causing horrendous deaths". Bloody Disgusting followed up with an article showcasing some of the movie's concept art, with fan reaction overwhelmingly enthusiastic. A third article at the time of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
featured additional concept art, while a fourth featured an interview with Briggs, talking in depth about the production.
Shortly thereafter, legendary film producer James Jacks
James Jacks
James Jacks is a film producer who has in recent years produced several high-budget films. His credits include:*The Mummy*Dazed and Confused*Tombstone*Down to Earth*The Hunted*The Scorpion King*The Mummy Returns...
boarded the project. Jacks' involvement in the movie was reported in Variety and other worldwide trades on October 27, 2009, coinciding with that year's American Film Market
American Film Market
The American Film Market is a film industry event held each year at the beginning of November in Santa Monica, California. About 8,000 people attend the eight day event to network and to sell and acquire films...
.
Pre-Production
Briggs travelled to New Zealand from September to December 2010 to scout locations for both Mortis Rex and a second project, Panzer 88, working out of Weta WorkshopWeta Workshop
Weta Workshop is a special effects and prop company based in Miramar, New Zealand, producing effects for television and film.Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger as RT Effects, Weta Workshop has produced creatures and makeup effects for the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys...
and Park Road Post
Park Road Post
Park Road Post is a 10,200 m² motion picture post production facility, located in Miramar, New Zealand, a suburb of Wellington. Formerly the state-owned National Film Unit, the new facility was renamed Park Road Post upon completion in 2005...
. On November 16, 2010, Briggs appeared on TVNZ's Good Morning, where he suggested that should either project be based out of New Zealand, they may shoot at Wellington's Avalon studios.
An official Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page for the movie opened on March 30, 2011, featuring advance concept art from the movie.