LONDON: NEOM is to host the filming of the upcoming Hollywood thriller “Riverman,” it was announced on Thursday.
The high-impact action feature, written and directed by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director Terry George, will be shot between the epic landscape of the Saudi futuristic mega project and the UK.
Wayne Borg, managing director of media, entertainment, and culture at NEOM, said: “We are thrilled to welcome acclaimed writer and director Terry George to NEOM to shoot his upcoming action feature ‘Riverman.’
“The production team’s confidence in NEOM is a real testament to our world-class offering of state-of-the-art facilities, great crews, the sheer breadth of diverse locations, and our globally competitive 40 percent plus-plus production cash rebate incentive,” he added.
The movie, inspired by the war diaries and true events of the Afghanistan war from 2001 to 2008, will tell the story of Max, a Royal Marine who is tempted into the corrupt forces behind warfare.
“‘Riverman’ is a powerful, highly dramatic war story. I am excited to be directing this great project in NEOM,” George said.
Future Artists Entertainment, in partnership with TMS Productions, and Limelight CTL, will produce the new feature with the support of NEOM’s world-class facilities.
Casting has begun with the principal photography scheduled to start in January.
Over recent years, NEOM has become the primary production destination and industry hub for the Middle East and North Africa region, supporting the production of critically acclaimed titles including Rupert Wyatt’s “Desert Warrior,” “Dunki” directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the region’s biggest-ever budget TV show “Million Dollar Island,” and “Rise of The Witches.”
Borg said: “These are exciting times as high-end TV and film productions head to shoot in NEOM for the big studios and streamers to meet the unprecedented demand for high-quality content.
“NEOM’s offering is compelling and securing productions like ‘Riverman’ reinforces our position as the region’s leading full-service production hub.”
