A couple of years ago we shared some photos from the set of a crazy looking fantasy film called Empires of the Deep. We've had nothing to report on the movie between then and now, with the first trailer for it popping up online. It looked like it had potential early on, but unfortunately, it looks absolutes terrible in every way you can imagine.
The 3D movie had a budget of around $130 million, and apparently it had a lot of issues during production. Everything that could have gone wrong, did. It was "the dream project of Chinese real estate tycoon Jon Jiang, who wrote the script himself and partially financed with his own money, the film was originally announced with Monica Bellucci as the star, Catwoman director Pitof helming and Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner on board as a producer. All three left the project every bit as quickly as they signed up." The movie ended up being finished by director Michael French (Heart of a Dragon), and stars Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Oblivion), Jea Choe, Sam Voutas, Alec Su, Jean-Michel Casanova, William Shriver and Maxx Maulion.
The story includes elements of fantasy such as magic and demons, with spectacular battles and an epic story transcending a thousand years. It will will introduce audiences to an entirely brand-new style of huge action set-pieces, a host of fantastical creatures and amazing underwater fight scenes. It will combine mystery and intrigue with incredible sea battles.
Unfortunately, the film looks like a piece of crap. What a waste of time and money. The SyFy original movies look better than this thing! This is what happens when you get a bunch of people together to make a movie that have no idea what they are doing. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think. I can't believe they spent that much money on this turd. You know you have a bad product when the director of Catwoman walks away from it.
Here are some details on the film followed by the set pics:
Mermaid legends have existed all over the world for thousands of years, attracting people from all over the world. Many questions remain unanswered regarding this bewitching and enigmatic race. Why do mermaids tempt humans with their seductive songs? What secrets lie hidden deep within their legends? Empires of the Deep will provide the answers in spectacular style.
Empires of the Deep is a unique undersea fantasy adventure, which uses the latest in CGI to shape a new and exciting underwater world. This world is inhabited by mermaids, giants, an evil mage and dozens of different undersea kingdoms and races: each with their own cultural traits. The giants are more powerful than the mysterious mermaids but both must ally together to battle an ancient evil
Our protagonist is a young man with a hidden power. After a local temple is ghosted away overnight, he begins his search and encounters the mysterious mermaid Aka * their meeting triggers an unforgettable series of events which shake the mermaid world to its very foundations.
The movie explores the mysterious and apparently bizarre characteristics of mermaids, depicting their danger as welI as their exquisite beauty; and how their love can be both bewitching and deadly.
Other themes explored by Empires of the Deep include the battle between good and evil and one man’s struggle against his own destiny.