NEOM, a futuristic city in Saudi Arabia, has announced that it will be the shooting location for an upcoming Hollywood thriller movie called "Riverman." The film, inspired by the war diaries and true events of the Afghanistan war between 2001 and 2008, will be directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Terry George.
Terry George, known for his work on acclaimed movies such as "In the Name of The Father" and "Hotel Rwanda," will bring his expertise to this action-packed thriller set in NEOM. The story revolves around Max, a Royal Marine who finds himself caught up in the corrupt world behind warfare and is faced with difficult choices.
The production of "Riverman" will be a collaboration between Future Artists Entertainment, led by Matt Williams, Camilla Storey of TMS Productions, and renowned producer Mark Foligno of Limelight CTL. With Terry George vision and direction, the team is eager to bring this powerful film to life.
Principal photography for the movie is scheduled to begin in January 2024, and the casting process is already underway. NEOM, known as the primary production destination and industry hub for the Middle East and North Africa region, will provide top-notch sound stages, production facilities, and a talented workforce to support the production.
Wayne Borg, NEOM managing director of media industries, entertainment, and culture, expressed his excitement about welcoming Terry George and the production team to NEOM. He highlighted NEOM world-class offerings, including state-of-the-art facilities, diverse locations, and a generous production cash rebate incentive.
NEOM has recently become a popular choice for filming, with 30 productions taking place in the past 18 months. These include notable projects like "Desert Warrior" by Rupert Wyatt, featuring Anthony Mackie and Sir Ben Kingsley, and "Dunki" by Rajkumar Hirani, starring Shahrukh Khan. NEOM growing reputation as a full-service production hub is further solidified by securing productions like "Riverman."
In addition to the movie production, NEOM is also set to host the shooting of MBC TV drama series "Exceptional," which plans to produce 200 episodes per year. The city appeal to high-end TV and film productions continues to rise, attracting major studios and streamers to meet the increasing demand for high-quality content.
NEOM is positioning itself as a leading destination for the entertainment industry, offering a compelling package of services and facilities to support the production of diverse and engaging content. With exciting projects like "Riverman" and "Exceptional" on the horizon, NEOM is set to make its mark as a thriving hub for the creative arts.