Academy award®-nominee Charlotte Rampling (45 YEARS; THE DUCHESS) and acclaimed character actor, John Rhys-Davies (THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING; RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK) have been cast to star alongside Josh Hartnett (BLACK HAWK DOWN; PEARL HARBOUR) in Lech Majewski’s (THE MILL AND THE CROSS; THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS) highly-anticipated fantasy, sci-fi feature VALLEY OF THE GODS. Rampling will play “Amanda Joyce”, in a newly expanded role, with Rhys-Davies taking on the role of “Dr. Hermann”. Additional casting for the feature is expected to be announced in the lead up to principal photography. Fortissimo Films holds international rights and pre-sales are set to continue in Berlin at the European Film Market.
Charlotte Rampling received widespread critical acclaim, and her first Oscar® nomination, for her role in Andrew Haigh’s BAFTA nominated, romantic drama, 45 YEARS. This recent nomination adds to an impressive streak of awards recognition for her performance in 45 YEARS, including the 2015 Actress of the Year award at the London Critics Circle and the Silver Bear for Best Actress at last year’s Berlinale. Rampling is well known for her portrayal of Lady Spencer opposite Kiera Knightly in THE DUCHESS (2008), as well as her depiction of Dorrie in Woody Allen’s STARDUST MEMORIES (1980). She will next be seen in Ritesh Batra’s THE SENSE OF AN ENDING alongside Jim Broadbent and Emily Mortimer.
John Rhys-Davies is one of cinemas most recognisable character actors and is both a veteran of stage and screen. He is best known for his roles as the comic sidekick, Sallah, in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981) and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989); as well as the dwarf Gimli in THE LORD OF THE RINGS franchise. More recently, Rhys-Davies starred in the History Channel’s production of KILLING JESUS (2015) opposite Kelsey Grammer, Stephen Moyer, and Rufus Sewell. He is next set to star in MTV’s fantasy epic, THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES.
Lech Majewski’s VALLEY OF THE GODS is an imaginative epic that intertwines the story of the richest man on earth, an ancient Najavo legend and a writer, John Ecas (Hartnett), who possesses an unbridled imagination. John, also the films narrator, has the ability to alter reality, launching the narrative into the realm of spectacular fantasy. The film follows the three narratives as the characters attempt to escape the inevitable drama that is about to unfold when supernatural visions ultimately clash with impending reality.
The film is produced by Royal Road Entertainment’s (BLUE BLOOD) Filip Jan Rymsza and Carla Rosen-Vacher and The Safran Company’s (ANNABELLE, THE CONJURING) Peter Safran and Angelus Silesius.
An impressive, pre-visual effects sizzle reel is being shown to buyers at the EFM Fortissimo office. Principal photography is set to commence in mid-May 2016.