LONDON — Swedish film and music-video director Jonas Akerlund will helm English-language film “Lords of Chaos,” which is produced by Ridley Scott’s Scott Free London, RSA London and VICE. Protagonist Pictures is handling international sales, and will launch the pic to buyers in Cannes.
Rory Culkin (“Scream 4,” “Signs”) and Caleb Landry Jones (“X-Men: First Class,” “Byzantium”) are confirmed for leading roles in the film, with further cast to be announced shortly.
Pic, which is co-produced by Chimney and Eleven Arts, is the terrifying story based on real events about a dream-turned-nightmare for a group of teenagers who spiral out of control.
The pic follows 17-year-old Euronymous, who is determined to escape his traditional upbringing in 1980s Oslo. He becomes fixated on creating true “Norwegian Black Metal” music with his band Mayhem, and creates a phenomenon by using shocking stunts to put the band’s name on the map. But as the lines between publicity and reality start to blur, acts of arson, violence and a vicious murder shock the nation.
Co-written with Dennis Magnusson, the film will be produced by Jack Arbuthnott, Kai-Lu Hsiung, Ko Mori, Fredrik Zander and Malte Forsell, and executive produced by Shane Smith, Eddy Moretti, Danny Gabai and Vince Landay for Vice, and Carlo Dusi for Scott Free London.
Akerlund is best known for his music video work with music stars such as Beyoncé, Madonna, Lady Gaga and U2. He has won three Grammy Awards, including ones for Paul McCartney’s “Live Kisses” and “Madonna: The Confessions Tour Live From London.” His feature film work includes “Spun,” “Horsemen” and “Small Apartments.”
The film will shoot in the fall of 2015 on location in Norway.
