Sam Neill has joined Ethan Hawke on the cast of Lionsgate's upcoming vampire thriller Daybreakers, which is set to begin filming in Australia in July.

The story takes place in 2017 as of a clandestine group of vampires discovers the key to saving the human race from a plague.

Peter and Michael Spierig wrote and will direct the film. New Zealand's Weta Workshop will create the effects on the project, which The Film Finance Corporation Australia is co-financing with
Queensland's The Pacific Film & Television Commission.

Chris Brown of Australian-based Pictures In Paradise is producing with
Sean Furst and Bryan Furst.

Lionsgate's president of acquisitions and co-productions Peter Block
and senior vice president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason
Constantine will oversee the production.

'Sam Neill is an outstanding actor who brings gravitas to all his
roles and we are delighted he is joining Ethan Hawke for this
exceptional and visionary project,' Stephanie Denton, president of
Lionsgate international, said.

Sam Neill is represented by Martha Luttrell of ICM USA and Ann
Churchill-Brown of Shanahan Management Australia.

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