Samuel L Jackson, Peter Mullan fly with Altitude

Will Clarke’s Altitude is partnering with Subzero Film Entertainment to produce Big Game, which will star Samuel L Jackson [pictured] as the US President.

The film marks the English-language debut from Jalmari Helander, the director of 2010 Finnish genre hit Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. Rare Exports producer Petri Jokiranta will produce, with Altitude’s Clarke and Andy Mayson co-producing alongside German partner Jens Meurer of Egoli Tossell Film. Alex Garland serves as executive producer.

The action adventure is about a shy 13-year-old Finnish boy who has to spend the night in a local forest to prove his manhood; but when Air Force One is shot down by terrorists and the boy meets the US president, they fight to save themselves.

Big Game will shoot in late summer in Finland and Germany (Bavaria Studio Film Partners is also attached). Altitude is also handling sales and will introduce the project to buyers in Cannes.

Mullan to lead The Loch

James Watkins, director of The Woman In Black, has a joint company with Altitude, which is launching its first production, The Loch, written by Watkins and Simon Duric. Duric will make his feature directorial debut.

Peter Mullan has come on board to lead the cast.

The film is a character-driven horror thriller that is an update on the Loch Ness monster myth. The story follows a family hiding their own secrets who encounter dark forces on a weekend holiday near Loch Ness. It will shoot in late 2013.

Will Clarke, CEO and Chairman of Altitude Film Entertainment said: “With four films going into production we have had a phenomenally exciting and successful first year.

“We are achieving what we set out to do by working with the best of UK and international talent and distinctive filmmakers in developing and producing highly commercial projects from the ground up and bringing them to market.

“To be attracting world-class talent such as Samuel L Jackson and Peter Mullan and working with filmmakers such as James Watkins and Jalmari Helander is indicative of the quality of the projects, the ambition of the films we want Altitude to be involved in and the creative relationships we are enjoying.”

Andy Mayson, co-CEO of Altitude Film Entertainment, added: “To build a slate of 15 projects in development, get a number into production as well as bring films to market that have secured international distribution deals in our first year has surpassed our initial ambitions.

“What has also been equally important has been working directly with brilliant filmmakers who have great projects and vision and building partnerships with them that are based on equality and transparency as well as providing them with creative as well as financial support.”

Mike Runagall, Managing Director of Altitude Film Sales, said: “Bringing projects to Cannes that we have been involved in from development is exhilarating and with Big Game and The Loch we have two new and original films with compelling stories and the creative elements that will connect with international distributors and audiences worldwide.”