Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Ashley Greene Cast in Anthony Hopkins’ Sci-Fi Film

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Ashley Greene, Thomas Kretschmann, and Praya Lundberg have joined the cast of Anthony Hopkins’ new film, “Eyes in the Trees.” Palisades Park Pictures is launching worldwide sales of the sci-fi thriller ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film is a modern reimagining of H.G. Wells’ novel “The Island of Doctor Moreau,” featuring the two-time Academy Award winner Hopkins. The cast also includes Golden Globe winner Rhys-Meyers, Greene, Kretschmann, and Lundberg.

“Eyes in the Trees” follows a video journalist and his film crew who venture into an isolated forest. Their journey quickly turns into a survival mission for themselves and the entire human race. Vince Henway (Meyers) and his former protégé-turned-ex Channing Arneau (Greene) lead their team to Monkey Ko off the coast of Thailand. Known locally as the “Island of Death,” the island is rumored to be the site of abandoned government medical experiments and genetic manipulations led by Dr. Addis (Hopkins). What they find there exceeds their worst nightmares. Their quest for answers becomes a battle for survival as they work to thwart Dr. Addis’ plan to “regress mankind,” killing most of the human population.

Timothy Woodward Jr., an Emmy Award winner, will direct the sci-fi thriller. The screenplay is 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, and Artisha Mann-Cooper of Artman Cooper Productions. Mike Manning also serves as a producer.

Landon B. Gorman of BGG Capital, Joe Simpson, Jonathan Bross, and Tamara Birkemoe are the executive producers. Jonathan J. Cooper and Jeremy O’Keefe will co-produce.

Director Woodward Jr. shared his excitement, saying, “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.”

Simon Williams, Ashland Hill’s Managing Partner, described “Eyes in the Trees” as a “bold, twisted elevated-genre film with a brilliant ensemble cast, including the incomparable Anthony Hopkins.” He added, “We look forward to introducing global audiences to this chilling and creative reimagining seen through Timothy’s unique vision.”

Palisades Park Pictures’ TIFF slate also includes “The Magic Faraway Tree,” starring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, and Jennifer Saunders; The Jim Henson Company’s live-action monster tale “Grendel,” starring Jeff Bridges, Dave Bautista, Bryan Cranston, Thomasin McKenzie, Sam Elliott, and T Bone Burnett; “That’s Amore!” featuring John Travolta, Katherine Heigl, and Christopher Walken; and Philip Noyce’s action-adventure “Fast Charlie,” with Pierce Brosnan and James Caan in his final on-screen role.

Production for “Eyes In The Trees” is set to begin in Thailand later this year.

Source: Variety