Archive for February 11th, 2017
Syfy adds three to pilot The Machine
by Doc on Feb.11, 2017, under Television
Syfy has announced the addition of three cast members for the upcoming pilot The Machine.
Bridger Zadina (Terri, Kill or Be Killed) will play the role of Santiago, an agoraphobic young hacker who — after uncovering the dangerous truth behind those he believed to be his allies — is cast out into the world he desperately fears. Through his harrowing fight for survival, Santiago begins to emerge as one of humanity’s last great hopes in the coming war against rising Artificial Intelligence.
Malachi Kirby (Roots) will portray Aaron, a lonely and out of place young man who created an A.I. as his best friend – benevolent, brilliant, supportive, and in many ways, his equal. Then recruited by the CIA for his creation, Aaron was placed in their cyber warfare division.
Olly Rix (Of Kings and Prophets) will play James, the principal test subject of a secret Ministry of Defense Artificial Intelligence program. A soldier, his badly injured mind and body have been rebuilt using cutting-edge prosthetics and implanted artificial intelligence, elevating him far beyond the limits of normal human capabilities.
Announced last week was Annet Mahendru (The Americans), in the role of Yana, a brilliant but troubled programmer who has created the world’s first super intelligent Artificial Intelligence. With an IQ 500 times greater than Einstein, this S.A.I. is capable of conquering the world’s most complex problems, such as disease, poverty, and environmental devastation.
The Machine, based on the 2013 UK cult film, explores humanity through artificial intelligence when a sentient AI is created, but the military wants to use it for war. Caradog James, who directed the film, is an executive producer with Red & Black Films and John Giwa-Amu, the film’s producer.
XYZ Films acquires Indiegogo-funded Code 8 led by Robbie and Stephen Amell
by Doc on Feb.11, 2017, under Movies
XYZ films has acquired international sales rights for Code 8, the Indiegogo-funded feature film based on a short film that will star cousins Robbie Amell (The Tomorrow People) and Stephen Amell (Arrow).
Jeff Chan, who directed the short (shown below) will also direct the feature as well as produce. The Amells, screenwriter Chris Paré, Thick Water Entertainment and Lee Kim for Resolute Films are executive producing.
The short film takes place in a world where 4% of the population are born with some type of supernatural ability. Instead of being billionaire superheroes, most ‘specials’ live in poverty and resort to crime, forcing the police to become more militarized.
The story follows a young man with special powers (Robbie Amell) struggling to find work as a day laborer. After a dispute over payment, he finds himself in a confrontation with a police officer (Sung Kang, The Fast and the Furious franchise) and the autonomous robots backing him up.