Visual effects artist turned filmmaker Liam O’Donnell blew audiences away this past December with his sci-fi/martial arts hybrid “Beyond Skyline“, the sequel to 2010 alien invasion thriller “Skyline” that brought together Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian of “The Raid” fame with the leading man of that film’s upcoming English-language remake, Frank Grillo. For his next project, Liam draws from his experience of making “Beyond Skyline” in Indonesia with the upcoming “The Last Savage”, which gained significant attention and accolades at last year’s IFFAM Project Market.
According to Liam O’Donnell, who had previously teased “The Last Savage” as “Tarzan meets Gladiator” in his interview with KFK late last year, the genesis of the film came about in the following way:
“While filming “Beyond Skyline” in Indonesia, I was incredibly inspired by the fierce spirit of its people and the fight to preserve its unique wildlife and habitats. The result is “The Last Savage”, a cinematic love letter to the pulp adventures of Tarzan, the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max, and the vicious beauty of the martial art, Silat. My goal is to synthesize these influences into a riveting adventure with heart that explores the depths and endurance of the human spirit. It is my greatest hope that the character of Buas becomes an international action icon for years to come.”
The official synopsis also gives fans a glimpse into what they can expect from the film:
“A cataclysmic flood leaves a boy stranded on a remote island where he’s raised by a family of tigers into Buas, a lethal savage. But Peyton, a high-tech hunter arrives and kills his adopted family before bringing the captured Buas to The Rig, an overpopulated steel island built atop of drowned skyscrapers. There, Buas is forced to fight against surgically enhanced gladiators in a deadly arena. Trained by Carver, a legendary warrior gone rogue, and Mel, a brash street racer, Buas must navigate the post-apocalyptic underworld to gain his freedom, get his revenge, and ultimately secure the future of mankind’s survival.”
Between Liam’s outline and the official synopsis “The Last Savage” sounds like what you’d get if you tossed “Cast Away”, “Gladiator”, and “Mad Max: Fury Road” into a blender along with a gratuitously generous superlative serving of Silat. In other words, action-connoisseurs, you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for what “The Last Savage” has in store for you!
Stay tuned for more “The Last Savage” news as it rains down on us. In the meantime, what are your impressions for this one and what’s the most ‘savage’ fu-flick you’ve seen to date? Let us know in the comments below, join in the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. (Check out our news and review sections to FU-fil your action needs!)
