Veteran Finnish filmmaker Renny Harlin recently made a significant return to the picturesque island nation of Malta, gracing the Mediterrane Film Festival where his latest shark thriller, Deep Water, featuring Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley, was screened. However, it was the enthusiastic preview of his upcoming action-thriller, The Beast, starring Hollywood heavyweights Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman, that truly captivated audiences and industry insiders, generating considerable anticipation for its October release. Harlin, a director whose career has been punctuated by both blockbuster successes and notable challenges, expressed profound admiration for Malta, declaring it "the best-kept secret" during a masterclass discussion, underscoring the island’s growing prominence as a global cinematic hub.
A Director’s Enduring Connection to Malta
Harlin’s relationship with Malta stretches back nearly three decades, rooted in the production of his ambitious 1995 pirate epic, Cutthroat Island. Despite its infamous status as a box office disappointment that contributed to the demise of Carolco Pictures, the film cemented Harlin’s connection to the Mediterranean archipelago. Malta, with its stunning historical architecture, azure waters, and versatile landscapes, has long served as a coveted backdrop for major Hollywood productions, including Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, sequences from the Jurassic Park franchise, and numerous scenes from HBO’s Game of Thrones. Harlin’s recent remarks about the island’s "incredible" potential highlight its continued appeal and evolving infrastructure for large-scale filmmaking.
The Mediterrane Film Festival provided the perfect platform for Harlin’s return and pronouncements. Held in the historic capital city of Valletta, the festival aims to spotlight Malta’s burgeoning film industry, foster international co-productions, and celebrate cinematic artistry. Harlin’s presence, alongside his producer wife Johanna Kokkila, underscored the event’s growing prestige and its success in attracting established industry figures. His masterclass conversation, hosted by Collider‘s Steven Weintraub, offered a rare glimpse into the mind of a director known for high-octane action and suspense. The session covered the expansive trajectory of Harlin’s career, from his early Finnish productions to his most iconic Hollywood features, before culminating in an exciting look ahead at his newest venture, The Beast.
Renny Harlin: A Career Defined by Action and Resilience
Renny Harlin rose to international prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, becoming synonymous with large-scale action blockbusters. His directorial credits include A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), which revitalized the horror franchise, followed by the critically and commercially successful Die Hard 2 (1990), solidifying his reputation as a master of suspense and explosive set pieces. He continued this streak with Cliffhanger (1993), starring Sylvester Stallone, another box office hit that demonstrated his ability to craft thrilling action sequences against breathtaking backdrops.
However, the monumental financial failure of Cutthroat Island in 1995 marked a significant turning point. With a reported budget exceeding $90 million (a staggering sum at the time), its global gross barely reached $10 million, leading to the bankruptcy of Carolco Pictures. This event had a chilling effect on the pirate genre in Hollywood for years. Despite this setback, Harlin persevered, continuing to direct films across various genres, including the cult favorite Deep Blue Sea (1999) and the critically acclaimed The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), both of which featured Samuel L. Jackson. His career has since navigated a diverse path, encompassing horror, comedy, and more independent thrillers, showcasing a director’s enduring commitment to his craft even amidst industry fluctuations.
"The Beast": A High-Concept Thriller with Star Power
The upcoming release of The Beast, slated for October, marks a potential resurgence for Harlin in the high-stakes action genre. Penned by Umair Aleem, known for his work on the action-packed Kate, the film presents a compelling and timely premise. Samuel L. Jackson stars as the President of the United States, who finds himself trapped inside his heavily armored presidential limousine, famously dubbed "the Beast," amidst a meticulously coordinated coup orchestrated by a hostile militia. The film’s narrative thrust revolves around the President’s desperate struggle for survival, forcing him to unlock the vehicle’s clandestine offensive capabilities and fight his way back to safety and, by extension, secure the fate of his nation.
Harlin’s description of the film to Steven Weintraub and the festival audience painted a vivid picture of intense action and nail-biting suspense. He revealed that The Beast opens with "the biggest action scene you’ve ever seen," immediately plunging viewers into a chaotic world summit resembling a G7 meeting. "There’s been a humongous terrorist attack," Harlin explained, emphasizing the deliberate ambiguity surrounding the terrorists’ identity or nationality. The immediate objective becomes extracting President Jackson into the impenetrable "Beast" before he is assassinated, setting off a chain of events that drive the survival narrative.
The Indomitable "Beast" and its Presidential Driver
Central to the film’s intrigue is the presidential limousine itself. Harlin delighted in detailing the fictionalized capabilities of "the Beast," describing it as "indestructible." He elaborated, "No matter what missiles they send its way, they can’t destroy the car. They just keep going." Adding a layer of thrilling speculation, Harlin hinted at the vehicle’s top-secret weaponry: "then it has some weapons that we’ll never know [about]. I don’t think anybody can prove whether it has these weapons or not, but this one does."
The dramatic tension is amplified by the President’s profound unfamiliarity with his own vehicle’s formidable arsenal. Having previously only "smoked a cigar in the back of the car," Jackson’s character must now navigate complex computer panels, weapon systems, and communication failures, completely isolated and unable to contact headquarters. This scenario transforms the film into an "incredible survival story," blending the confined space thriller with elements of a race-against-time action movie.
A Powerful Duo: Jackson and Kinnaman
The Beast also signifies a significant reunion for Harlin and Samuel L. Jackson, marking their fourth collaboration. Their shared filmography includes the acclaimed spy thriller The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), the creature feature Deep Blue Sea (1999), and the crime drama Cleaner (2007). This long-standing professional relationship suggests a deep understanding between director and actor, often leading to compelling performances. Jackson, a prolific and iconic actor known for his commanding presence and versatile roles, is expected to deliver another powerful performance as a President thrust into an unprecedented fight for survival.
Joining Jackson in the claustrophobic confines of "the Beast" is Joel Kinnaman, who plays a "badly wounded" Secret Service agent. Harlin spoke with exceptional praise for Kinnaman’s performance, stating, "I’d like to think that this movie is really going to make Joel’s career." Kinnaman, a seasoned actor with an impressive resume spanning television and film, including For All Mankind, Silent Night, House of Cards, Altered Carbon, The Suicide Squad, Hanna, and the recent Imperfect Women, is poised for a significant breakthrough if Harlin’s predictions hold true. The director anticipates audiences will be "stunned when they see his performance," highlighting the intricate and intense dynamic between Jackson’s President and Kinnaman’s injured but resilient agent, trapped together in a desperate fight. "The relationship between him and Joel Kinnaman is exceptional," Harlin added, underscoring the character-driven core within the action spectacle.
Implications for Malta’s Cinematic Future
Harlin’s effusive praise for Malta as "the best-kept secret" resonates deeply within the context of the island’s strategic efforts to position itself as a premier destination for international film production. The Malta Film Commission has actively invested in infrastructure, training, and attractive financial incentives, including generous cash rebates, to draw global filmmakers. The success of attracting major productions like Gladiator 2 and various streaming series underscores the efficacy of these initiatives.
The Mediterrane Film Festival itself serves as a crucial platform, not only for showcasing films but also for facilitating networking, fostering co-production opportunities, and educating local talent. Harlin’s masterclass and the buzz surrounding Deep Water and The Beast contribute significantly to the festival’s objective of raising Malta’s profile on the international film circuit. Such high-profile endorsements from veteran filmmakers like Harlin lend credibility and attract further investment, potentially leading to increased employment opportunities for local crews and ancillary businesses, thereby bolstering Malta’s creative economy.
In conclusion, Renny Harlin’s return to Malta for the Mediterrane Film Festival was more than a mere promotional stop; it was a reaffirmation of his enduring connection to the island and a vibrant declaration of his latest cinematic endeavor. With Deep Water now screened and The Beast poised for an eagerly awaited October release, Harlin continues to demonstrate his directorial prowess in the action-thriller genre. His enthusiastic commendation of Malta further solidifies the island’s growing reputation as a dynamic and welcoming hub for global filmmaking, promising a bright future for both the veteran director and the Mediterranean nation. The anticipation for The Beast, with its compelling premise and the powerful pairing of Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman, suggests that Harlin is ready to deliver another thrilling cinematic experience that will undoubtedly capture the attention of audiences worldwide.
