You may recall that Alex Proyas was last attempting to direct a massive 3D adaptation of Paradise Lost, a mega-budgeted venture that would have crazy aerial battles in Heaven between angels and demons. The whole thing proved a little too insane, both in concept and price tag, so the studio axed the entire idea. Clearly undaunted, Proyas apparently took every far-out concept and probably some left over special effects and threw them into Gods of Egypt, which looks absolutely insane.
Not that this should come as a surprise; Proyas is the director behind wild fantasy/sci-fi films like The Crow, Knowing, and Dark City, the latter considered by many to be a genre classic. Gods of Egypt is exactly what it sounds like, an action/adventure film based on the Egyptian mythology. And already complaints are starting to well up about the casting, which is led by mostly Caucasian actors, the exception being Chadwick Boseman (44). Gerard Butler, Brenton Thwaites, Geoffrey Rush, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Elodie Yung, and Courtney Eaton play the primary deities, who look like refugees from Immortals. As the failure of Exodus: Gods and Kings proves, audiences are keenly aware of white-washing even if studio execs aren't.
Here's the official synopsis:
In this spectacular action-adventure inspired by the classic mythology of Egypt, the survival of mankind hangs in the balance as an unexpected mortal hero Bek (Brenton Thwaites) undertakes a thrilling journey to save the world and rescue his true love. In order to succeed, he must enlist the help of the powerful god Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) in an unlikely alliance against Set (Gerard Butler), the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt’s throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict. As their breathtaking battle against Set and his henchmen takes them into the afterlife and across the heavens, both god and mortal must pass tests of courage and sacrifice if they hope to prevail in the epic final confrontation.
Gods of Egypt opens February 26th 2016. Check out the trailer and new character posters below.
