Ryan Kwanten sails for Northmen

The film will shoot for eight weeks primarily in South Africa, with some additional shooting in Germany.

Claudio Fah directs the epic adventure. The previously announced cast includes Ken Duken, Anatole Taubman and James Norton (who is also a 2013 Screen Star of Tomorrow).

Matthias Bauer and Bastian Zach wrote the script, about Viking marauders trapped in enemy territory in Scotland.

The Salt Company  is handling worldwide sales; eOne has already taken on the UK, France, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand.

The film is co-produced by Ascot Elite Entertainment Group’s production arm, Elite Filmproduktion AG, Two Oceans Productions and Jumping Horse Film. Producers are Karin G. Dietrich, Ralph S. Dietrich and Daniel Hoeltschi for Elite, and Marco Del Bianco, Frank Kaminski, Ulrich Stiehm and Rolf Wappenschmitt for Jumping Horse.

Nordmedia Fonds backed development, and production finance comes from Niedersachsen/Bremen.

Ascot Elite will release in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Benelux.

Dietrich said: “Northmen – A Viking Saga is a film that is close to all of our hearts.  It tells a timeless story of courage, camaraderie and adventure, with exciting historical roots that have stimulated significant, and ever increasing, interest in the last few years. This is an epic and ambitious project but we could not feel more confident about the cast and crew that has come together to bring the story to life.”

James Norrie, Head of International at The Salt Company, added “It’s been a joy to see the way Ascot Elite have put this film together. From cast to budget, script, location to action and FX, they’ve created a seriously classy package but with a focussed and experienced eye on giving the target audience all they could possibly want from a Viking action-chase movie including great characters and ambitious battle scenes. I can’t wait.” 

Fäh, whose credits include Sniper: Reloaded and Hollow Man 2, said: “The momentum that has been put behind this film is truly energising. It is a dynamic collaboration and this is further illustrated by the cast that is now in place.  We have a remarkable group of actors of both established and emerging talent and I cannot wait to start our shoot.”