Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point), Ashley Greene (The Twilight Saga), Thomas Kretschmann (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) and Praya Lundberg (The White Lotus) have signed on to star alongside Anthony Hopkins in Eyes in the Trees, a sci-fi thriller serving as a modern reimagining of H.G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau, on which we were first to report.
Ashland Hill (The Magic Faraway Tree, The Crow) has also come aboard to finance alongside BGG Capital, with Palisades Park Pictures launching worldwide sales ahead of the Toronto Film Festival. The film is set to enter production in Thailand later this year.
Eyes in the Trees follows a video journalist and his film crew as they embark on a journey into an isolated forest, only to find their excursion turned into a fight for survival for not just themselves, but the entire human race. Vince Henway (Meyers) and his former protégé-turned-ex Channing Arneau (Greene) lead their crew into the heart of Monkey Ko, off the coast of Thailand. Also known as “The Island of Death” to locals, the island holds rumors of forgotten government medical experiments and scientific genetic manipulations led by Dr. Addis (Hopkins). What the newcomers to the island find there is beyond their wildest expectations, a product of nightmares. Their search for answers quickly transforms into a fight for survival as they try to thwart Dr. Addis’ plan to “regress mankind,” killing the majority of Earth’s human population.
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Timothy Woodward Jr. will direct from a script by B. Harrison Smith, Mike Manning and Dominic Burns. The film will be produced by Daemon Hillin of Hillin Entertainment, Simon Williams of Ashland Hill, Artisha Mann-Cooper of Artman Cooper Productions, and Manning. Landon B. Gorman of BGG Capital, Joe Simpson, Jonathan Bross, and Tamara Birkemoe will exec produce, with Jonathan J. Cooper and Jeremy O’Keefe co-producing.
Stated Woodward, “Having the opportunity to work closely with the legendary Sir Anthony Hopkins and the rest of this incredible cast is a true honor. It has been deeply inspiring, and I’m genuinely grateful for the experience. I look forward to sharing this film with audiences, knowing it’s being shaped by such remarkable talents in front of and behind the camera.”
Ashland Hill’s Managing Partner Williams called the film “a bold, twisted elevated-genre film with a brilliant ensemble cast, including the incomparable Anthony Hopkins,” adding, “we look forward to introducing global audiences to this chilling and creative reimagining seen through Timothy’s unique vision.”
A Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee, Meyers is best known for turns on series like Vikings and The Tudors, among others. Notable film credits include Stonewall, Albert Nobbs, August Rush, Mission: Impossible III, Match Point, Vanity Fair and Michael Collins.
In addition to The Twilight Saga, Greene has been seen in titles like The Retirement Plan, The Immaculate Room, Bombshell and Wish I Was Here. She’s also appeared on shows like Rogue and Step Up: High Water.
Most recently seen in Prime Video’s rom-com Upgraded, Kretschmann’s other recent film credits include Gran Turismo, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Infinity Pool and Greyhound. Recent TV credits include Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Das Boot, Berlin Station and Dracula.
Soon to be seen in the forthcoming third season of The White Lotus, Lundberg’s previously appeared in films like Supercell and Paradise City, among other projects.
Meyers is repped by Artists International Group and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Greene by Gersh, Untitled Entertainment and Gang, Tyre, Ramer; Kretschmann by Independent Artist Group and Myman Greenspan Fox; Lundberg by TalentWorks and Artist International Group; and BGG Capital by DLA Piper LLP.