EXCLUSIVE: Oscar-winner Barrie M. Osborne, one of only three producers credited with producing each of the original Lord Of The Rings movies, is lining up a new ambitious fantasy project called Wars Of The Drakons.
The U.S. vet, also known for producing Face/Off and as an executive-producer on The Matrix, The Great Gatsby, The Meg and the live-action Mulan, is set to produce the movie alongside Jeanette B. Milio and Jim Milio of My Big Fat Greek Wedding outfit Alliance Cinema.
Wars of the Drakons: The Seer’s Prophecy, which is conceived as the beginning of a franchise, is “set in the war-torn world of Aerion, where kingdoms battle for power with the aid of Drakons — formidable dragon-like creatures possessing extraordinary supernatural abilities. At the center of the story is legendary warrior and Drakon master Kale D’Sar, whose loyalty to a ruthless king is shattered when a mysterious Seer reveals a prophecy: the King’s own daughter, Princess Kahrie, is destined to become a great warrior, unite the divided kingdoms of Aerion, and ultimately bring an end to his brutal Blood Regime.”
The synopsis continues: “When the King moves to eliminate the child, Kale becomes part of a dangerous conspiracy to save her, forcing him to choose between duty, family and the future of an entire world. What follows is a sweeping journey of war, forbidden love, betrayal, magic and spectacular Drakon battles, as ancient secrets are revealed and the struggle for Aerion’s future begins.”
The original story, which has been in development for more than six months, is being written and also produced by newcomer Carla Romero. The “large-scale fantasy adventure will combine immersive world-building with emotionally driven storytelling and have broad international appeal,” we’re told.
Osborne, who produced the LOTR trilogy with writer-director Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, told us: “I am always attracted to dramatic fantasy films spearheaded by collaborative, passionate, and committed writers and producers. Over the last six months of development, Carla has certainly proved to be a passionate writer and producer. Joined by Jeanette B. Milio and Jim Milio, we have an unbeatable producing team. I am confident that the film we will create will attract a four-quadrant audience. The cast, crew, and locations we are considering will add to the scope and grandeur this screenplay deserves. I look forward to including all of you on our journey.”
The project marks the first producing gig for 82 year-old Osborne in more than a decade. He was most recently an executive-producer on Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, a film that reunited the two after they first worked together almost fifty years earlier on Apocalypse Now, with Osborne serving as a production manager on Coppola’s classic.
Before becoming a producer, New Zealand-based Osborne served as a production manager on other classics including Bond movie Octopussy and TV series Kojak.
Writer-producer Carla Romero added: “Wars Of The Drakons is a passion project years in the making. I’ve always loved fantasy adventures that transport audiences to extraordinary worlds filled with wonder and discovery, and I’m honored to partner with producer Barrie M. Osborne and executive producers Jeanette B. Milio and Jim Milio to bring this vision to life. Through Wars of the Drakons, I explore the enduring power of loyalty and the choices that reveal who we truly are. My hope is that audiences lose themselves in its world, fall in love with its characters, and carry its story with them long after the journey ends.”
Alliance Cinema most recently helped finance David Mamet’s return to filmmaking, Speed The Plow, with Anthony Mackie, Sharon Stone, and Ben Mendelsohn.
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