Jeremy Piven, Ryan Kwanten Face Dinosaurs in the Jungle as ‘Primitive War’ Drops First Footage

Dinosaurs and Vietnam War jungle action are both on the agenda in the first footage from “Primitive War” released by producers Sparke Films. The survival thriller stars “Entourage” star Jeremy Piven, Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Lucifer”), Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood,” “Red Hill”) and Nick Wechsler (“Revenge,” “The Boys”).

Written and directed by Luke Sparke (“Occupation Rainfall,” “Bring Him To Me”), “Primitive War” is adapted from the cult novel of the same name by Ethan Pettus. The story follows Vulture Squad, a recon team sent to a remote jungle valley in 1968 to locate a missing Green Beret platoon, only to find themselves face-to-face with prehistoric predators.

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“Primitive War” was filmed on the Gold Coast, Australia, with a mostly local crew, sprawling sets and real jungle locations that add up to a raw, immersive experience.

International sales are handled by Film Mode ahead of the picture’s global release in 2025. “Filming has been pretty darn amazing,” says Kwanten.

In the three-minute featurette, director Sparke recounts his first encounter with Pettus’s novel, recalling how the striking cover of a soldier battling a Utahraptor captured his imagination, while Helfer adds, “It’s about people coming together, using primal instincts to survive.”

Wechsler describes the concept as “bananas – and so much better than it has any business being.” Carlos Sanson sums it up as, “a war film meets dinosaur film meets action film – blending the best of all genres.”

Produced by Carmel Imrie and Carly Sparke, with executive producers Geoff Imrie and Luke Sparke & Co producer Alex Becconsall, “Primitive War” also boasts Wade Muller (“Occupation Rainfall”) as cinematographer and Carly Sparke overseeing production design, editing and visual effects.

The cast is fleshed out by Anthony Ingruber (“Age of Adaline”), Aaron Glenane (“Danger Close”), Carlos Sanson Jr (“Bump”) and Ana Thu Nguyen (“Mortal Kombat 2”).

Watch the featurette here.