Preview of Russian sci-fi actioner ‘The Interceptor’

I just stumbled across a rough sales promo for THE INTERCEPTOR (aka SMERSH XXI), the first entry in what is being described as a MATRIX-style trilogy from Russian director Konstantin Maximov. It looks more like a super-charged version of THE ONE to me. Hopefully, it will be a lot better than that.

This footage, released last November, contains scenes with incomplete visual and foley effects, stock music and a basic English-language voiceover and is therefore not representative of the finished work. Even with the rough presentation, the film looks impressive given the high volume of stylized live stunt work and fighting on display.

Based on a novel by cult sci-fi author Vasily Golovachev, the $10 million film follows a Special Forces agent (Igor Petrenko) trained by a time-shifting angel and guided by forces of the future, who is pitted against the ruthless leader of a criminal syndicate.

Golovachev wrote the script and is producing along with Julia Orlova of Rus Media.

Visual effects supervisor is Vladimir Leschinski whose previous work includes NIGHT WATCH and its sequel DAY WATCH.

Action direction, including fight choreography, was overseen by Vladimir Orlov, a Hollywood stunt veteran with fight choreography credits on period actioner NOMAD and sci-fi actioners PARAGRAPH 78 and APOCALYPSE CODE.

THE INTERCEPTOR is currently scheduled for release in Russia this fall. Golovachev has already adapted two sequels into screenplays. All three films are being shopped in the U.S. by Rex Media.

Source: Screen Daily