Screen Queensland has revealed that Runner star Alan Ritchson is returning to Queensland, Australia to begin filming a new Amazon MGM Studios feature about decorated NAVY Seal hero Mike Thornton.
Directed by Australia’s Patrick Hughes (Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, War Machine), the untitled feature depicts the incredible real-life struggle for survival in the hostile waters of the South China Sea that earned Mike Thornton a Congressional Medal of Honor.
Alan Ritchson (Reacher, Fast X) is set to star alongside Joe Cole (Subversion, A Prayer Before Dawn) and Hoa Xuande (The Sympathizer, Avatar: The Last Airbender).
Filming begins in January at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast, with the project secured for the state through Screen Queensland’s Production Strategy and the Federal Government’s Location Offset.
Acting Minister for the Arts Tim Nicholls said that 2026 is shaping up to be another strong year for screen production in Queensland with the support of the Crisafulli Government:
“With the continued backing of our incentives, the Crisafulli Government is delivering ongoing employment and economic benefits to Queensland. We are committed to ensuring our state remains number one for screen production in the country.”
This latest project for Amazon MGM Studios will create employment for around 260 local cast and crew while injecting an estimated $50 million into the Queensland economy and supporting numerous small businesses.”
Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO, said that Queensland’s expertise with military and water-based projects made it a perfect choice to bring Mike Thornton’s remarkable story to the screen:
“Queensland crews have an internationally renowned reputation for delivering complex action films and series. It’s fantastic to start the new year with such an ambitious production coming into Village Roadshow Studios.”
Director Patrick Hughes said:
“It’s incredibly rewarding to bring this project back to Australia. The Gold Coast offers world-class crews, facilities, and locations, making it an ideal home for a production of this scale. I’m thrilled to be working with Screen Queensland to bring this film to life.”
The untitled Mike Thornton project is the latest production in a growing slate of Queensland-made films for Amazon MGM Studios. Previous productions include Balls Up, The Bluff, Voltron and Subversion.
The film is supported by the Australian Government through the Location Offset, the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, and Local Government through the City of Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program.
Producers on the Mike Thornton project include Sylvester Stallone and D. Matt Geller under Balboa Productions, Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young, Alan Ritchson’s AllyCat Entertainment, and Alan Rautbort.
Executive producers are Valerie Bleth Sharp and Mike Thornton. The script is written by Mark Semos (Seal Team, Y: Marshals), Alan Ritchson, and Jason Hall (American Sniper; Thank You For Your Service).
For more information about funding programs, incentives, locations and facilities, visit the Screen Queensland website.
Website: https://screenqueensland.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/screenqueensland/
Hero image L-R: Alan Ritchson, Director Patrick Hughes, Joe Cole, Hoa Xuande
