Lawrence Dives Into “Deep”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 16, 2009 -- BEIJING: The long-anticipated Chinese adventure/CGI movie, Empire of the Deep, will roll into production this October with a new director. Jonathan Lawrence (Treasure of the Templars, Dream Parlor) has been tapped to replace Pitof (Catwoman) as director of China’s biggest-ever special effects movie. Pitof exited the picture earlier this summer due to creative differences with the production company.

“Jonathan Lawrence is uniquely suited to direct this epic adventure,” said producer Mark Byers. “His previous films integrate visual effects seamlessly into the story instead of treating them like add-ons, and his global experience allows him to interface with the all-Chinese crew without a hitch.”

Written by Jiang Hongyu, and produced by Jiang, Byers, and Harrison Liang, the US$50 million Empire of the Deep is set in ancient Greece and tells the story of a band of Greek sailors who discover a secret underwater kingdom of mermaids, and must join forces to combat a dark evil that threatens both mermaid and human civilizations.

Even though the story is set in the Greek isles, the picture will be shot entirely in China, on sound stages in Beijing, and exotic seaside locations in Fujian and Hainan provinces, making it one of the first Chinese productions based on an entirely Western story.

“It is an honor to be part of this groundbreaking production, and a great experience to work with such a world-class Chinese crew,” said Lawrence. “Mr. Jiang has an extraordinary vision, and I’m excited to bring his epic story to the big screen.”

Produced by Beijing production company E-magine Studios, Empire of the Deep features extensive visual effects that will set it on the level of a Hollywood studio production, further enhancing the picture’s uniqueness in Chinese cinema.

Empire of the Deep is slated for a global release in the fall of 2010.

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