Anthony Mackie’s ‘Desert Warrior’ Will Complete Filming in 2025

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As a seasoned cinephile with decades of movie-watching under my belt, I’m eagerly anticipating the release of “Desert Warrior.” The combination of historical epic, action, and a star-studded cast is truly irresistible. The fact that this film is a significant step forward for Saudi Arabia’s film industry adds an intriguing layer to its appeal.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t hide my excitement about the upcoming release of “Desert Warrior,” an epic historical action movie that has been three long years in the making. This film carries a significant burden of expectation, given its British director and stellar cast featuring [actor 1] and [actor 2]. However, what sets it apart is its origins – it’s one of the biggest productions to come out of Saudi Arabia’s MBC Studios, backed by a whopping $150 million budget. It’s a testament to the growing influence of Saudi cinema on the global stage.

The movie titled “Desert Warrior” was filmed in the forward-thinking city of NEOM in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant stride for their film industry. This move signified Saudi’s ambitious goals to increase their film production on a global scale. However, much like other films, the production of “Desert Warrior” has not been without its challenges, one being the change and reinstatement of director Rupert Wyatt during the project.

Last week, I had a conversation with Variety during the Marrakech Film Festival, and I, as a supporter, am delighted to share that producer Stuart Ford outlined the director’s return to the project. The timeline he presented indicates that we can expect the movie to be finalized early in 2025. He expressed:

As a cinephile, I jumped back on board with this project around early autumn, and it’s set to wrap up during the initial months of the next year. I can’t help but feel a sense of pride, believing I played a part in steering them towards making that decision. They were certainly at a critical juncture six to seven months ago. I’m absolutely thrilled about catching Wyatt’s edit in just two weeks here in New York City. I truly believe that MBC made the perfect move by allowing him to complete what he started.

What is Desert Warrior About?

Set in ancient Arabia before the rise of Islam, the movie Desert Warrior focuses on Hind, portrayed by Aiysha Hart, a noble Arabian princess who resists the aggressive advances of Emperor Kisra (Kingsley). Fleeing into the desert, she finds an alliance with Mackie’s Outlaw. United, they strive to bring together feuding tribes to stand against the formidable power of Kisra’s military forces.

It appears that the project turned out to be larger than initially expected, resulting in Wyatt’s temporary departure, but Ford emphasized that he doesn’t think the production issues should affect the final movie’s success. He is confident it will capture audience’s attention effectively soon. He further stated:

Though the movie veered off topic momentarily, viewers shouldn’t base their judgment solely on that incident. Instead, the movie should be evaluated based on its overall finished product, rather than the specifics of its post-production timeline.

Regarding the movie “Desert Warrior,” although it’s a Saudi Arabian production, it boasts the high-profile cast members Mackie and Kingsley. These two actors have achieved remarkable success throughout their careers, particularly with notable roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Mackie is all set to reappear as Captain America in “Captain America: Brave New World,” slated for February 2025, while Kingsley will resume his debatable portrayal of Trevor Slattery in the Disney+ series, “Wonder Man.” Although a specific release date for “Desert Warrior” hasn’t been revealed yet, it is anticipated to debut on the film festival circuit towards the end of 2025.

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2024-12-10 04:03