By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The director is headed back to the deep blue sea.
Variety reports that Kiss frontman/occasional actor Gene Simmons has teamed with Arclight Films chairman Gary Hamilton to launch Simmons/Hamilton Prods., planning a slate of 25 action, thriller and other genre movies “with global franchise potential” over the next five years. First up is DEEP WATER, which sees director Renny Harlin (pictured) returning to the territory he previously explored in DEEP BLUE SEA; according to the trade, “the film tells the tale of an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane, en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai, is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. The terrified group is forced to work together and overcome their differences if they hope to escape their sinking plane and the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.”
“I’ve had my greatest success when working with planes or sharks,” says Harlin, who also helmed the airport-set DIE HARD 2. “Getting to combine those two of my favorite thriller elements in a character-driven action adventure is a dream come true. I can’t wait to take the audience on the scariest plane ride of their lives. Gene and Gary both are my old friends and I’m excited to rock ’n’ roll through the friendly skies with them.”
“Throughout my storied history in the music business,” Simmons says, “I’ve met all sorts of characters, but Gary Hamilton is the real deal! He’s a remarkable film executive and a great collaborator who, along with the fantastic team at Arclight Films, brings his expertise and outstanding knowledge of the film industry to this partnership. I am pumped and excited to be launching DEEP WATER as our first project together with the action maven Renny Harlin at the helm.”
Adds Hamilton, “This exciting new partnership is a beautiful marriage of outstanding production and sales might coupled with a colorful history of showmanship and shrewd business acumen. Gene is not only a talented musician and performer, but he’s also a very savvy businessman and one of the most formidable cinephiles I’ve ever met–he’s the perfect partner as we introduce DEEP WATER to our buyers in Cannes.”
