As of Sunday, we can now provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek at two videos for Haz Dulull’s forthcoming sci-fi action proof-of-concept, Rift – both which you can view in the YouTube playlist below. Producers for HaZFilm, Dulull’s production banner, were on hand at the American Film Market in Santa Monica to showcase the proof-of-concept to buyers, and we can also report that plans are in motion to present the conceptual proof on a high profile streaming site beginning January 2019.
As reported earlier, actor and burgeoning martial arts star Jean-Paul Ly, as seen in the videos above and photo below, is circling the new sci-fi action thriller for Dulull following a small spate of talks since the two met roughly a year ago. Dulull, credited for the impressive visual spectacle in 2036: Origin Unknown and Netflix’s The Beyond, took strong notice of Ly’s work in the last few years – most prolifically, the 2017 Cambodian martial arts comedy, Jailbreak, from director Jimmy Henderson.
Dulull is penning the script with Montana scribe Jeremy Sheldon to adapt the following logline: A nihilistic police officer goes to extreme measures to protect a young boy who has the ability to tap into multi-dimensions across space and time.
Dulull will produce the film via HaZFilm with Paula Crickard who produced Dulull’s films, in addition to serving as digital intermediate producer on David Yates’ Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. A 2019 start date is expected to be announced soon along with other cast additions. Ly will serve as executive producer.
Rift is also but one in a raft of projects Dulull has in his roster; His 2014 sci-fi action short, Sync, which earned its place as a Vimeo Staff Pick, is also in the works for feature film fruition.
Ly’s career in stunt performance and action-acting includes Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist, TV series Cuckoo, Jon M. Chu’s Now You See Me 2 and Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange. His primary craft now takes aims toward starring performances, having since earning accolades around the world.
His debut, Jailbreak earned the Bronze Prize for Most Innovative Feature Film at Fantastic Festival last year among its accolades, and Marc Price’s Nightshooters premiere at the Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival in Michigan snagged a win for Best Action. Ly starred and served as fight choreographer on both films and shared collaborative weight on the latter film with action director Donovan Louie.
Ly also choreographed Henderson’s upcoming The Prey, and will also star in Bart Ruspoli’s directorial debut, 14 Fists, shooting early next year the newly-cast John Hannah and Bai Ling. Other upcoming releases will see Ly appearing in The Take Down from stunt professional and debut director David Newton, as well as Ross Boyask’s recently-wrapped Vengeance 2 with Stu Bennett and Vinnie Jones, and Kenneth Brannagh’s upcoming Disney adaptation, Artemis Fowl, starring newcomer Ferdia Shaw and actress Lara McDonnell for an August 9, 2019 release.
HaZ is repped as Director/Writer/Producer by APA in Hollywood and manager Ground Control Entertainment. Ly is repped by Sara Moore at Core Mgmt London.