Cuba Gooding Jr. headlines 'Lotus' as Hong Kong-Philippines five-film slate launches at Cannes
Hong Kong's ACT3 and Philippine producer Blackops Studios Asia have cast Cuba Gooding Jr., Luke Ford, Keith Duffy and Qymira in "Lotus," the first project under their five-film slate deal. Principal photography runs September-October in Manila, with additional sequences in Brazil.
CANNES, France — Hong Kong-based production company ACT3 and Philippine producer Blackops Studios Asia have set Cuba Gooding Jr., Luke Ford, Keith Duffy and multimedia artist Qymira to lead the action thriller "Lotus," the first project under a multi-year, five-film slate deal between the two companies, the producers announced at the Cannes Film Market.
Filipino filmmaker Pedring Lopez, the founder of Blackops Studios Asia, will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with longtime collaborator Rex Lopez. The two also produce alongside Maia Yambao-Lopez. Leslie Loh serves as executive producer for ACT3. Principal photography is scheduled to run from September through October in Manila, with additional sequences shot in Brazil.
Gooding Jr., the Oscar winner known for "Jerry Maguire," anchors the cast. Australian actor Ford, whose credits include "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and "Animal Kingdom," and Irish singer Keith Duffy, a member of Boyzone, also star. Qymira previously appeared in Lopez's "Shadow Transit." Additional cast members include actor-producer Cristian Lavin, known for the "NCIS" television franchise, and Brazilian actor Alberto Cowboy, a former "Big Brother Brasil" contestant.
Gooding Jr. described the project as his first major production shooting in the Philippines and Southeast Asia and said the energy of Manila and the production team's vision were what drew him in. Ford echoed the international scope, citing the film's blend of Manila and Brazilian locations.
The production team draws on crew from the Philippines, Hong Kong and Brazil. Sonny Sison, a Filipino-American choreographer and producer, will lead stunt and action coordination, working with local crew and an international team brought in from the United States and Hong Kong. Noel Teehankee will serve as cinematographer. Additional Filipino casting is still in progress.
The Cannes Film Market introduction is intended to begin pre-sales conversations with international buyers and distribution partners. "Lotus" is the first of five productions planned under the ACT3-Blackops slate deal, which is positioned as part of a broader push by Southeast Asian producers to access global theatrical markets.