K.T Simpson
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons and Gary Hamilton, chairman of Arclight Films, have launched Simmons/Hamilton Prods. to develop, finance and produce feature films, says Variety.
The first project in a proposed 25-movie slate over five-years will be a shark film from Deep Blue Sea and Long Kiss Goodnight director Renny Harlin.
Simmons and Hamilton will produce the films, most of which will be theatrical product that can be developed into franchise properties.
Deep Water, the surviving-sharks thriller from Harlin, is cheduled to go into production later this year. Movie tells the tale of an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane, en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai, is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. The terrified group is forced to work together and overcome their differences if they hope to escape their sinking plane and the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.
“I’ve had my greatest success when working with planes or sharks,” said Harlin. “Getting to combine those two of my favorite thriller elements in a character-driven action adventure is a dream come true. I can’t wait to take the audience on the scariest plane ride of their lives. Gene and Gary both are my old friends and I’m excited to rock ’n’ roll through the friendly skies with them.”
Simmons added: “Throughout my storied history in the music business, I’ve met all sorts of characters, but Gary Hamilton is the real deal! He’s a remarkable film executive and a great collaborator who, along with the fantastic team at Arclight Films, brings his expertise and outstanding knowledge of the film industry to this partnership. I am pumped and excited to be launching ‘Deep Water’ as our first project together with the action maven Renny Harlin at the helm.”
Hamilton said: “This exciting new partnership is a beautiful marriage of outstanding production and sales might coupled with a colorful history of showmanship and shrewd business acumen. Gene is not only a talented musician and performer, but he’s also a very savvy businessman and one of the most formidable cinephiles I’ve ever met — he’s the perfect partner as we introduce ‘Deep Water’ to our buyers in Cannes.”
