The history of film is littered with projects that struggled to get off the ground. Some of these films, like James Cameron's sci-fi extravaganza "Avatar," were eventually realized to global acclaim. But it's hard to say if we'll ever see the release of "Empires of the Deep," the dream project of Chinese real estate billionaire Jon Jiang. Filmed in 2010 for a budget of over $130 million, the movie has since sunk from the public eye save for a handful of trailers and angry behind-the-scenes reports of mismanagement.
What consigned the film to life under the waves? Could this story of Greek soldiers,...
The post Empires of the Deep: The Chaotic Story of the Unreleased 3D Fantasy Epic appeared first on /Film.
What consigned the film to life under the waves? Could this story of Greek soldiers,...
The post Empires of the Deep: The Chaotic Story of the Unreleased 3D Fantasy Epic appeared first on /Film.
- 1/28/2022
- by Adam Wescott
- Slash Film
Take a look at new images of actress Olga Kurylenko ("Quantum Of Solace"), wearing Bulgari, Graff and a whole lot more, photographed by Marcin Tyszka:
Kurylenko, a former model, started her acting career in 2005, playing 'Nika Boronina' in "Hitman" (2007), followed by the role of 'Bond' girl 'Camille Montes' in "Quantum of Solace" (2008).
She starred in Stephen S. Campanelli's "Momentum" (2015), Terrence Malick's "To the Wonder" (2012), "Oblivion" (2013), "The Water Diviner" (2014) and the upcoming comedy feature "Johnny English Strikes Again" (2018).
New films in post-production include "The Room" (2019) and "The Bay Of Silence" (2019).
New films in pre-production include "Empires of the Deep", "Android" and "Radiant".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Olga Kurylenko...
Kurylenko, a former model, started her acting career in 2005, playing 'Nika Boronina' in "Hitman" (2007), followed by the role of 'Bond' girl 'Camille Montes' in "Quantum of Solace" (2008).
She starred in Stephen S. Campanelli's "Momentum" (2015), Terrence Malick's "To the Wonder" (2012), "Oblivion" (2013), "The Water Diviner" (2014) and the upcoming comedy feature "Johnny English Strikes Again" (2018).
New films in post-production include "The Room" (2019) and "The Bay Of Silence" (2019).
New films in pre-production include "Empires of the Deep", "Android" and "Radiant".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Olga Kurylenko...
- 10/7/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Ryan Lambie Oct 3, 2016
An animated superhero movie featuring Marlon Brando? A Bill Murray comedy? Just two of the strange, starry films we may never get to see.
Film history is littered with movies that have wound up on the shelf for some reason, either because of financial difficulties or, in the case of The Day The Clown Died, because its director and star decided it was too embarrassing to be released. We've written about all sorts of shelved or cancelled films before, from Roger Corman's infamous Fantastic Four to the unreleased John Goodman comedy, Spring Break '83.
Every so often, though, we'll hear about curious-sounding projects that generate a bit of news before vanishing again. An animated film featuring the voices of Marlon Brando and Brendan Fraser, perhaps, or a modern comedy about old Greek gods featuring Christopher Walken as Zeus.
Here, then, are five strange, star-laden movies that,...
An animated superhero movie featuring Marlon Brando? A Bill Murray comedy? Just two of the strange, starry films we may never get to see.
Film history is littered with movies that have wound up on the shelf for some reason, either because of financial difficulties or, in the case of The Day The Clown Died, because its director and star decided it was too embarrassing to be released. We've written about all sorts of shelved or cancelled films before, from Roger Corman's infamous Fantastic Four to the unreleased John Goodman comedy, Spring Break '83.
Every so often, though, we'll hear about curious-sounding projects that generate a bit of news before vanishing again. An animated film featuring the voices of Marlon Brando and Brendan Fraser, perhaps, or a modern comedy about old Greek gods featuring Christopher Walken as Zeus.
Here, then, are five strange, star-laden movies that,...
- 9/30/2016
- Den of Geek
Feature Ryan Lambie Jan 7, 2013
After its trailer appeared last year, the $130 million fantasy film Empires Of The Deep went all quiet. Ryan wonders what happened...
Almost three years ago, a strange press conference took place in Beijing. On a stage bathed in flashing lights, women with low-body fat danced around on a stage, their dresses billowing. They wore strange, striped rubber appliances on their heads which looked a bit like shower caps. The guest of honour at the press conference was Olga Kurylenko, the actress who'd appeared in the Bond film Quantum Of Solace not long earlier.
The press conference was to promote the impending release of Empires Of The Deep - a $130 million special effects extravaganza which would mark China's triumphant entry into blockbuster filmmaking. Bankrolled by one Jon Jiang, a real estate magnate with very deep pockets, the film was billed as a Grecian fantasy movie under the sea,...
After its trailer appeared last year, the $130 million fantasy film Empires Of The Deep went all quiet. Ryan wonders what happened...
Almost three years ago, a strange press conference took place in Beijing. On a stage bathed in flashing lights, women with low-body fat danced around on a stage, their dresses billowing. They wore strange, striped rubber appliances on their heads which looked a bit like shower caps. The guest of honour at the press conference was Olga Kurylenko, the actress who'd appeared in the Bond film Quantum Of Solace not long earlier.
The press conference was to promote the impending release of Empires Of The Deep - a $130 million special effects extravaganza which would mark China's triumphant entry into blockbuster filmmaking. Bankrolled by one Jon Jiang, a real estate magnate with very deep pockets, the film was billed as a Grecian fantasy movie under the sea,...
- 1/4/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
I can’t believe that I hadn’t heard of this project before! It’s China attempting to out-Hollywood Hollywood, as The New York Times explained in a 2010 article, which includes the delicious tidbit that the film is the vision of a film-obsessed real estate magnate, Jon Jiang. And this wondrous nugget: [T]he script, written by Mr. Jiang, has gone through 40 drafts with the help of 10 Hollywood screenwriters. Did I mention that the alternate title is Mermaid Island? So gloriously awful. And that’s before you even get to this first trailer, which is a marvel of hilarious pain. Via IndieWire’s The Playlist and Twitch, the latter of which notes: Three Years And A Hundred And Thirty Million Dollars Later, All We Get Is Olga Kurylenko With A Shell On Her Head. Kurylenko? I knew the name was vaguely familiar: she was a Bond girl in Quantum of Solace.
- 11/9/2012
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
As we get closer and closer to Halloween, the industry is doing its part to help with great holiday-themed content. We got a trailer for Iron Man 3 to either remind the kids of that superhero as a costume idea or to provide fresh suggestions. Who wants to be so antiquated as to go as something based on this year’s movies when you can leap frog into 2013 ideas? Are Mandarin and Iron Patriot hot last-minute costumes now? And then we got the news about Arnold Schwarzenegger returning to the Conan franchise, which should give many elderly folks encouragement to dress up as a character they’re way too old for. Come on, grandmas, “sexy ___” outfits are for you too. Oh, and Cloud Atlas is out this weekend, which may well inspire some last-minute blackface, whiteface, yellowface and zombie Willy Wonka face costumes. Speaking of the film, before we round up this week’s best features, I...
- 10/27/2012
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Sneak Peek a new trailer supporting the 3D 'mermaid' fantasy feature, "Empires of the Deep", starring Olga Kurylenko ("Quantum Of Solace").
The $100 million plus action adventure is directed by Michael French.
"...the film is an unlikely romantic love story between a young man and a beautiful 'mermaid' and the underwater mermaid world which she inhabits..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Empires Of The Deep"....
The $100 million plus action adventure is directed by Michael French.
"...the film is an unlikely romantic love story between a young man and a beautiful 'mermaid' and the underwater mermaid world which she inhabits..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Empires Of The Deep"....
- 10/24/2012
- by M. Stevens
- SneakPeek
Mermaids, monsters & demons. Pretty cool company, you’ll agree. Here’s the first trailer for the upcoming Empires Of The Deep movie, or if you prefer – the teaser for the whole thing, ’cause you wont find some spectacular action in this one. Just the usual stuff – the war between good and evil, only under the sea. Or something like that…
This fantasy adventure comes from diretor Michael French, it is set in ancient Greece and will tell us the story of a young man’s adventure in the undersea mermaid kingdom. In order to save his father, he will have to fight some ferocious sea monsters.
Then, there’s also a part of the story which goes like this: he gets involved in large-scale battles in the seabed between mermaids, monsters and demons. Poor man!
Anyway, the movie stars Olga Kurylenko as the Queen of the Mermaid Empire, Steve Polites plays that brave young man,...
This fantasy adventure comes from diretor Michael French, it is set in ancient Greece and will tell us the story of a young man’s adventure in the undersea mermaid kingdom. In order to save his father, he will have to fight some ferocious sea monsters.
Then, there’s also a part of the story which goes like this: he gets involved in large-scale battles in the seabed between mermaids, monsters and demons. Poor man!
Anyway, the movie stars Olga Kurylenko as the Queen of the Mermaid Empire, Steve Polites plays that brave young man,...
- 10/24/2012
- by Jeanne Standal
- Filmofilia
A couple of years ago we shared some photos from the set of a crazy looking fantasy film called Empires of the Deep. We've had nothing to report on the movie between then and now, with the first trailer for it popping up online. It looked like it had potential early on, but unfortunately, it looks absolutes terrible in every way you can imagine.
The 3D movie had a budget of around $130 million, and apparently it had a lot of issues during production. Everything that could have gone wrong, did. It was "the dream project of Chinese real estate tycoon Jon Jiang, who wrote the script himself and partially financed with his own money, the film was originally announced with Monica Bellucci as the star, Catwoman director Pitof helming and Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner on board as a producer. All three left the project every bit as quickly as they signed up.
The 3D movie had a budget of around $130 million, and apparently it had a lot of issues during production. Everything that could have gone wrong, did. It was "the dream project of Chinese real estate tycoon Jon Jiang, who wrote the script himself and partially financed with his own money, the film was originally announced with Monica Bellucci as the star, Catwoman director Pitof helming and Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner on board as a producer. All three left the project every bit as quickly as they signed up.
- 10/23/2012
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Before Paul left his shift, he handed this article over to me and said, "Should be a good start." Paul has a magnificent sense of humor. Not sure if any of you have heard of a little movie called Empires Of The Deep, but I can tell you after checking out this trailer you will never forget. Why would Olga Kurylenko sign on for this? I've seen video games with better graphics. How did something like this even get made? Well, Chinese real estate tycoon Jon Jiang wrote a script...
- 10/23/2012
- by Niki Stephens
- JoBlo.com
Wow, I am really surprised Empires of the Deep started production, let alone got finished. The epic underwater fantasy film was originally supposed to be directed by Pitof, French special FX guy and infamous director of the much reviled Catwoman. It was ultimately handed over to relative newcomer Michael French, whose Heart of a Dragon won some praise back in 2007 and who seems to have actually made it happen - giant underwater whale dragon fights, mermen warriors, Olga Kurylenko all.
Synopsis:
For thousand of years, legends of beautiful mermaids have enchanted people from all over the globe. Their fascinating and mysterious world has always captured the imagination of humans. In film history, there hasn't been a single movie that has uncovered and explored this mystical world. What secrets lurk beneath the depths? And why do beautiful mermaids seduce human men? "Mermaid Island" is the first underwater fantasy film to unveil and answer these questions.
Synopsis:
For thousand of years, legends of beautiful mermaids have enchanted people from all over the globe. Their fascinating and mysterious world has always captured the imagination of humans. In film history, there hasn't been a single movie that has uncovered and explored this mystical world. What secrets lurk beneath the depths? And why do beautiful mermaids seduce human men? "Mermaid Island" is the first underwater fantasy film to unveil and answer these questions.
- 12/15/2010
- QuietEarth.us
South Korea is a powerhouse of creative cinema, and as Sean explains, their films frequently display an emotional core as well as action…
While American cinema is currently filled with comic book films, remakes and sequels, things are not the same elsewhere around the world. As worldwide cinema is becoming less dominated by a constant saturation of American movies, I've noticed one country in particular making its mark in the world of film.
South Korea has seen a rise in its cinema over the past decade, producing movies that are both experimental and entertaining at the same time. It's not just pure movie fans that are recognising it, but Hollywood as well, as it's been trying to produce remakes for some of the most well known of the current generation of South Korean films.
South Korea, in case you didn't know, is the country that's on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula.
While American cinema is currently filled with comic book films, remakes and sequels, things are not the same elsewhere around the world. As worldwide cinema is becoming less dominated by a constant saturation of American movies, I've noticed one country in particular making its mark in the world of film.
South Korea has seen a rise in its cinema over the past decade, producing movies that are both experimental and entertaining at the same time. It's not just pure movie fans that are recognising it, but Hollywood as well, as it's been trying to produce remakes for some of the most well known of the current generation of South Korean films.
South Korea, in case you didn't know, is the country that's on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula.
- 7/15/2010
- Den of Geek
Here's a collection of behind the scenes set photos from a new fantasy film being made called Empires of the Deep which stars Olga Kurylenko from Quanum of Solace and the upcoming film Centurion. The movie looks like it could be a pretty big epic film.
The movie is being directed by Michael French (Heart of a Dragon), and also star stars Jea Choe, Sam Voutas, Alec Su, Jean-Michel Casanova, William Shriver and Maxx Maulion. The movie is set to come out sometime in 2011.
The synopsis boasts that this is a fantacy movie about magic and demons, with spectacular battles and an epic story transcending a thousand years. It will will introduce audiences to an entirely brand-new style of huge action set-pieces, a host of fantastical creatures and amazing underwater fight scenes. It will combine mystery and intrigue with incredible sea battles.
Sounds good to me! Thanks to isaacada1 for the tip!
The movie is being directed by Michael French (Heart of a Dragon), and also star stars Jea Choe, Sam Voutas, Alec Su, Jean-Michel Casanova, William Shriver and Maxx Maulion. The movie is set to come out sometime in 2011.
The synopsis boasts that this is a fantacy movie about magic and demons, with spectacular battles and an epic story transcending a thousand years. It will will introduce audiences to an entirely brand-new style of huge action set-pieces, a host of fantastical creatures and amazing underwater fight scenes. It will combine mystery and intrigue with incredible sea battles.
Sounds good to me! Thanks to isaacada1 for the tip!
- 7/15/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
We have added the first set photos from the upcoming epic 3D underwater adventure/fantasy film Empires of the Deep previously entitled Mermaid Island.
Plot Details: Mermaid legends have existed all over the world for thousands of years, attracting people from all over the world. Many questions remain unanswered regarding this bewitching and enigmatic race. Why do mermaids tempt humans with their seductive songs? What secrets lie hidden deep within their legends? Empires of the Deep will provide the answers in spectacular style.
Empires of the Deep is a unique undersea fantasy adventure, which uses the latest in CGI to shape a new and exciting underwater world. This world is inhabited by mermaids, giants, an evil mage and dozens of different undersea kingdoms and races: each with their own cultural traits. The giants are more powerful than the mysterious mermaids but both must ally together to battle an ancient evil...
Plot Details: Mermaid legends have existed all over the world for thousands of years, attracting people from all over the world. Many questions remain unanswered regarding this bewitching and enigmatic race. Why do mermaids tempt humans with their seductive songs? What secrets lie hidden deep within their legends? Empires of the Deep will provide the answers in spectacular style.
Empires of the Deep is a unique undersea fantasy adventure, which uses the latest in CGI to shape a new and exciting underwater world. This world is inhabited by mermaids, giants, an evil mage and dozens of different undersea kingdoms and races: each with their own cultural traits. The giants are more powerful than the mysterious mermaids but both must ally together to battle an ancient evil...
- 6/9/2010
- by Allan Ford
- Filmofilia
To bring the rich imaginative world and its inhabit in the big budgeted fantasy epic Empires of the Deep to living and breathing reality on screen, it will required more than 1000 CGI shots with the heavy workload being done by Fontelysee Technology Co., Ltd among 10 more other companies. More than 20 different CGI generated character types are been created for the various underwater creatures of the sea including gigantic jellyfish, lobsters and crabs, massive fish killing machines, and others. For a little taste on what to expect visually, E-Magine Studio of Hollywood Inc, the Beijing-based production company involved in the conceptual design, has graciously provided us with two concept art. Here's the official synopsis:
In ancient Greece, a miracle child is born with mysterious powers that grow as the boy becomes a man. Tormented by his strength, Atlas must summon his courage to enter the mystical Mer Kingdom deep under the ocean to save his father.
In ancient Greece, a miracle child is born with mysterious powers that grow as the boy becomes a man. Tormented by his strength, Atlas must summon his courage to enter the mystical Mer Kingdom deep under the ocean to save his father.
- 5/4/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Alot more details have emerged since we last heard from Empires of the Deep (人鱼帝国), the tent pole underwater fantasy Us/China co-production previously entitled Mermaid Island. In a press conference held last Tuesday, the Chinese media were introduced to the cast & crew and they discussed on what is instored for the $130 million budgeted film.
- The film is the brainchild of Real estate mogul Jon Jiang, one of the richest men in China and CEO of Fontelysee Pictures who co-wrote the script, self-financed part of the funds himself and served as the producer since the very beginning of development in 2006. He seeks to fulfilled his dream of wowing an international audience with the first ever major English language Hollywood-style production made in China.
- Canadian director Michael French (Heart of a Dragon) will helm the project and he has already been shooting around China for six months with seven...
- The film is the brainchild of Real estate mogul Jon Jiang, one of the richest men in China and CEO of Fontelysee Pictures who co-wrote the script, self-financed part of the funds himself and served as the producer since the very beginning of development in 2006. He seeks to fulfilled his dream of wowing an international audience with the first ever major English language Hollywood-style production made in China.
- Canadian director Michael French (Heart of a Dragon) will helm the project and he has already been shooting around China for six months with seven...
- 5/1/2010
- Screen Anarchy
I’m surprise we didn’t caught wind of this piece of news sooner when it was announced last year but no more. Not content to allow Hollywood have all the fun, China is shelling out a $100 million Us budget to produce its own heavy CG effects spectacle in Empires of the Deep (previously entitled Mermaid Island), an underwater fantasy adventure that will feature a world of mermaids, giants, mage and more different sea creatures. Its a Us/China joint project so the production will employ talents from both Hollywood and China. While I’m not entirely sold on Pitof of Catwoman fame (or should I say lame) as the director but his extensive background in visual effects does have its merit and the possible casting of the goddess that is Monica Bellucci as the mermaid queen is enough for me to dive in.
The ambitious film is due out...
The ambitious film is due out...
- 2/3/2009
- by Al Young
- Screen Anarchy
Latest: Sharon Stone has reportedly been dropped from the cast of new movie Mermaid Island following her controversial comments about the country's recent earthquake.
The Hollywood actress stunned journalists at the Cannes International Film Festival in France last month when she suggested the disaster, which left more than 67,000 people dead, was down to "karma" - linking the tragedy to China's treatment of Tibetans.
Officials in the country had threatened to ban her films, with French fashion house Christian Dior also dropping her from advertising campaigns in the nation.
And now her comments have cost her a major movie role. Stone was due to star alongside Monica Bellucci in the forthcoming U.S.-Chinese production which is to be helmed by Catwoman director Pitof.
But now according to Moviehole.net, Stone has been dropped by producers and the role is set to be re-cast.
Stone has since re-issued an apology for her remarks, insisting her "words were never meant to be hurtful to anyone, they were an accident of my distraction and a product of news sensationalism."...
The Hollywood actress stunned journalists at the Cannes International Film Festival in France last month when she suggested the disaster, which left more than 67,000 people dead, was down to "karma" - linking the tragedy to China's treatment of Tibetans.
Officials in the country had threatened to ban her films, with French fashion house Christian Dior also dropping her from advertising campaigns in the nation.
And now her comments have cost her a major movie role. Stone was due to star alongside Monica Bellucci in the forthcoming U.S.-Chinese production which is to be helmed by Catwoman director Pitof.
But now according to Moviehole.net, Stone has been dropped by producers and the role is set to be re-cast.
Stone has since re-issued an apology for her remarks, insisting her "words were never meant to be hurtful to anyone, they were an accident of my distraction and a product of news sensationalism."...
- 6/5/2008
- WENN
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