Counting down to a final script….

Sorry for not posting much lately but we have been attempting to get all our creative team together to do some work on our script!

Bruce Beresford has been very busy on Mao’s Last Dancer which is in post production and Justin Monjo has been split across a couple of other projects.

Attempting to get to a script which satisfies everyone is one of the toughest exercises I think I have ever had to deal with! Trying to balance fact versus the necessary ebb and flow of a saleable, filmable and hopefully bankable story is incredibly complex and we do truly want to get this right.

We are almost there and I am really hopeful that we will have something complete in the next few weeks. Once we have the script we will then secure the attachment of a couple of internationally recognised Australian A List cast in addition to Sam Worthington and then finalise financing of the film.

We have generated amazing and overwhelming interest in this project and I am more than confident that this film will help write a new chapter in Australian film and story telling.

Sam Worthington is keen on Long Tan movie role

Sam Worthington, who is currently starring alongside The Dark Knight’s Christian Bale in Terminator Salvation now shooting in the US, has told the producers he is keen to be considered for a major role in the Bruce Beresford directed film about the seminal conflict of the Vietnam War – the Battle of Long Tan. ”

Sam Worthington

“I believe Long Tan to be a very important story to tell. It’s a true tale that touched me so much, especially when I had the privilege of meeting the soldiers two years ago,” said Worthington in a message to the Battle of Long Tan producers, Sydney-based Red Dune Films and Beverly Hills, California-based partner Brainstorm Media.

Worthington, who recently completed a starring role in James Cameron’s Avatar, narrated the award-winning documentary on Long Tan produced by Martin Walsh, of Red Dune Films, for the History Channel’s 40th anniversary of the battle in 2006.

Walsh has been developing a feature version of the story since 2004.

“On the 42nd Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Red Dune Films and Brainstorm Media are delighted that the long overdue acknowledgement of the gallantry shown by D Company 6RAR has coincided with receipt of an outstanding screenplay from writers Bruce Beresford and Justin Monjo, which will bring the remarkable story of the 108 men of D Company to the big screen,” said Walsh.

Christian Bale and Sam Worthington in Terminator Salvation

“Bruce and Justin have captured all the drama of the battle and the extraordinary real life characters who fought in it, and have given us the tools we need to attract a dream ensemble cast and financing for our feature film.”

Producing the film with Walsh is Charles Hannah, a US-based Australian with 14 feature film credits, including the criticaly acclaimed and box office success, World’s Fastest Indian, which starred Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins. Hannah brokered the deal between Red Dune and Brainstorm Media. Brainstorm Media’s Meyer Shwarzstein is executive producing along with Peter Wetherell, President of Magus Entertainment.

The producers aim to commence production by mid 2009, with Queensland as the most likely location for the Australian base in Nui Dat and the nearby rubber plantation where the battle took place.

“The Commanders at the Battle of Long Tan, who are marking the 42nd anniversary today, are fully behind the film project,” said Walsh.

Introducing the Battle of Long Tan team

I wanted to introduce you to the team behind our upcoming movie, Long Tan based upon the true story of The Battle of Long Tan. 

First of all there is me, Martin Walsh! I produced the ASTRA award winning and TV Week Logie Award Nominated documentary on the Battle of Long Tan for The History Channel in Australia and New Zealand.

My other Producer is Charles Hannah who was Executive Producer on the acclaimed World’s Fastest Indian movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Directed by Roger Donaldson and has been behind many other films such as Newcastle, Unfolding Florence and Control.

The amazing Bruce Beresford who has directed great films such as Driving Miss Daisy, Double Jeopardy, Black Robe and Breaker Morant is Writing and Directing Long Tan.

We also have two awesome Executive Producers on board. Meyer Shwarzstein who co-produced Bridge to Terabithia and Peter Wetherell. They are both based in Los Angeles and bring many years of independent film financing, distribution and sales experience to the project.

We have also brought on an additional writer, Justin Monjo to help with the final draft of the script as Bruce Beresford is busy filming Mao’s Last Dancer.

And we also have the unique talent and experience of Graham ‘Syd’ Cassidy from Cato Counsel handling all of our media and PR for the project.