Primitive War, directed by Luke Sparke, arrives in theaters on August 21st. The film is based on the sci-fi novel by Ethan Pettus. It stars Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, Nick Wechsler, and Jeremy Piven.
The movie takes place in 1968 Vietnam. Search and rescue team “Vulture Squad” goes into a secluded jungle valley to find a missing Green Beret platoon. They discover that they are not alone, as dinosaurs are unleashed. As the number of casualties rises, Vulture Squad must embrace their primal instincts to survive.
The cast and crew of Primitive War held a panel at San Diego Comic-Con to discuss the film.
Luke Sparke Interview
Luke Sparke, the writer and director, shares his experience bringing the film to San Diego Comic-Con. He believes it’s a first for an Australian film to have a large panel at the convention. As a self-proclaimed “big fanboy,” he enjoys casting actors he grew up idolizing. He discusses the film’s setting, which is based on the book and comic, and the “interesting dynamic” of the jungle, dinosaurs, and Viet Cong together. He notes that the combination “starts really psyching out” the soldiers. Sparke says that the climax is his favorite part of the movie and that he intentionally cut the trailer himself to avoid spoiling the film. He adds that a military advisor was on set to ensure the film was “grounded, respectful,” and honorable.
Q: Luke, you’re bringing your film here to San Diego Comic-Con. What is that experience like for you?
Luke Sparke: I think it’s a first for Australian films. I don’t think any Australian films have a massive panel here at Comic-Con, so that’s a privilege in itself. It’s wonderful to bring it to the fans and show the hard work everyone has been doing.
Q: So, not only is Comic-Con a perfect place for dinosaurs, but you also have an all-star cast. How is it for you to make the movie with that perfect mix?
Luke Sparke: I’m a big fanboy. I like to cast people that I’ve grown up idolizing, like Jeremy Piven and Tricia Helfer. It was just a great everyday experience, just to sit and talk to them about their career and also help guide them on this dinosaur journey.
Excitement in Bringing the Comic and Novel to Life
Q: Seeing the trailer, there’s still a lot of mystery to the movie. What are you excited for audiences to experience with “Primitive War?“
Luke Sparke: It’s a military base, but it’s also an adventure through these weirdly Vietnam-like jungles, with caves, rivers, and bases. We go through a whole menagerie of locations. The climax is my favorite part of the movie. I can’t wait for them to see that because I hate trailers that spoil movies. This trailer doesn’t do that. There’s a whole bunch in this movie that’s not in the trailer.
Q: Was there a specific story reason for choosing the Vietnam War for this?
Luke Sparke: It’s based on the book and the comic that has it in there. I think it’s an interesting dynamic, having the jungle with the dinosaurs and the Viet Cong. The way the Americans thought about that war is very similar to how it would be with dinosaurs. You put it all together, and it really starts to psych out the soldiers. I just think it’s a great mix that works.
