EXCLUSIVE: Signature Entertainment has acquired rights to shark attack thriller The Last Breath from Metro International.
Written by Nick Saltrese (A Prayer Before Dawn) and directed by Joachim Hedén (Breaking Surface), the film is produced by Andrew Prendergast (Shark Bait), and Chris Reed (Shark Bait).
Pic stars Julian Sands (A Room With A View) in his last film role alongside Jack Parr (Peaky Blinders), Kim Spearman (As I Am), and Alexander Arnold (Yesterday). The movie shot in late 2022, just a few months before Sands went missing while hiking in California. The actor’s remains were found in June on Mount Baldy.
In the film, a group of old college friends reunite on a Caribbean scuba diving trip exploring the wreckage of a WWII battleship and find themselves trapped inside the underwater labyrinth of rusted metal surrounded by great white sharks.
Signature is lining up an early 2024 launch when it will likely be the last of Sands’ movies to be released. The British vet is known for his roles in films such as The Killing Fields, A Room with a View, Warlock, Arachnophobia, Boxing Helena and Leaving Las Vegas. On TV, he has appeared in 24, Smallville and Banshee.
In The Last Breath, the actor plays Levi, an old-time diver and mentor to young divers. His character is described as a “gruff, rugged bear of a man who is kind and generous”.
The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s Acquisitions and Development Manager Katie Wilkinson and Metro International’s CEO Will Machin.
Production finance was supplied by Orogen Entertainment, Anamorphic Media and Filmgate with Umedia co-producing. International distribution support was provided by the UK Global Screen Fund – financed by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and administered by the BFI.
Wilkinson said of the feature: “Signature absolutely love a shark film (who doesn’t?), and we couldn’t be happier to work with Metro on The Last Breath – it’s a thrilling wild ride from start to finish. We’re super excited for UK audiences to get their teeth stuck into this one in 2024.”
Machin added: “Signature have proved themselves to be the home for shark thrillers in the UK so we couldn’t be more delighted to place The Last Breath in their very capable hands.”
