Great white shark versus killer whale film, Alphas, finally resurfaces
We’ve all seen the battle of the apex predators in the real world, as killer whales hunt for the livers of great white sharks and leave their lifeless carcasses washed up on the beach, so we were extra excited when Alphas, a film about that titanic ocean struggle was set to begin production in 2020...and then nothing, until now.
It disappeared beneath the waves as if it was the cinematic equivalent of Chrissie Watkins from JAWS. So, what was it, boat propeller? Coral reef?
When Alphas was originally announced back in early 2020 we were saying that Avatar star Sam Worthington was in advanced talks to play the lead in shark-versus-killer whale thriller, Alphas, that was set to start shooting that summer.
At the time we said: Sentient and Endurance Media will be producing and financing the picture, alongside Endurance Media. Director Steven Quale - who also directed Final Destination 5 - will helm the sea set story with oceanic credentials to boot.
Perhaps more importantly, Quale started out as second unit director on Titanic and Avatar and went on to co-direct Aliens Of The Deep with James Cameron.
The screenplay, penned by Frank Hannah (The Cooler) is from an original story by Hannah and Christopher Tuffin.
Principal photography is set to begin in Puerto Rico this summer. Worthington will likely play an environmentalist who must convince the owner of a killer whale sanctuary to unleash the orca that nearly killed her in an attempt to drive away a spiralling Great White shark population led by a fierce alpha shark.
Effects house BUF (Bladerunner 2049) and Important Looking Pirates (The Shallows) will handle the creature effects, and world-renowned Pete Zuccarini (Avatar and Pirates Of The Caribbean franchises) will choreograph and shoot the underwater sequences.
All sounded great, and that it was shaping up to be an exciting cinematic ride with the talent involved.
All the elements seemed to be in place, complete with an enticing poster of a great white and killer whale circling a human.
It has now washed up on the beach, complete with a new actor and director – it’s happened before - attached to the highly anticipated project.
Screen Daily exclusively revealed that Martin Henderson (best known for Virgin River and Grey’s Anatomy but no stranger to horror with X and The Ring) will now star and helming the Australian and UK co-production is Liam O’Donnell (Beyond Skyline, Portals).
Principal photography is set to begin in Australia early 2024, which is also where the likes of The Reef, Great White and Bait were all filmed. It’s also where the live shark footage for JAWS was filmed by Ron and Valerie Taylor, 50 years earlier – this film helping to continue the shark film legacy.
Screen Daily now described Alphas taking place in a quiet surfing community where killer whales are enlisted to fend off great white sharks after a series of attacks.
When the alpha great white shark proves too powerful to stop, a local surfing legend and a retired orca trainer come together to unleash the most dangerous killer whale they have ever known to stop the shark and save their town.
JAWS may have transferred from page to screen very quickly, but The Meg took over 20 years to swim to the surface, so some shark films can take their time to reach an audience.
The plot still remains intriguing, which is why it is something we all want to see it realised on the big screen, especially with several stories and video emerging of Orcas killing great white sharks, making it almost ripped from the pages of reality.
We don't mind when it comes to the surface, but just that it does find its way to water and our screens.
Words by Dean Newman
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