‘Tron: Ares’ director’s bold ‘System’ horror follows 3 epics
“Tron: Ares” director Joachim Rønning is writing and directing “System,” an original horror film from Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios, The Hollywood Reporter reported. The movie is already shooting in London, and its plot and cast are being kept secret. The Norwegian filmmaker also directed “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”
What the “Tron: Ares” director announced
Spooky Pictures and Image Nation have teamed up often, most recently on this year’s “Hokum” and on festival films such as Casey Affleck’s “Company” and Guy Nattiv’s “The Liberation,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Rønning is producing through his company, The Saga Company. Fellow producers are Spooky’s Roy Lee, whose credits include “Weapons,” and Steven Schneider, known for “Paranormal Activity.” Image Nation CEO Ben Ross and Spooky’s Rami Yasin are executive producers. UTA Independent Film Group arranged the financing and is handling sales, the trade reported.
A smaller project after big franchises
The lean horror project marks a shift for the “Tron: Ares” director, whose recent résumé leans heavily on studio franchises. He directed “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” (2017), “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” (2019) and last year’s “Tron: Ares,” which The Hollywood Reporter said “cratered at the box office.” Between those, he made the 2024 drama “Young Woman and the Sea,” starring Daisy Ridley, which drew good reviews.
Rønning first gained international attention with 2012’s “Kon-Tiki,” which he co-directed with his “Pirates” partner Espen Sandberg. The film earned an Oscar nomination for best foreign language film. For more on his last studio outing, see what Rønning said about Jared Leto’s commitment in “Tron: Ares”.
Spooky is also producing “Obey,” a horror film from director Sophie Kargman starring KJ Apa and Nadia Parkes, with Waypoint Entertainment and Screen Gems, Deadline reported Sept. 15.
What’s next
No cast, plot details or release date have been announced for the “Tron: Ares” director’s “System.” Find more movie news at Total Apex Entertainment.
Reporting from The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline contributed to this story.