Sci-fi icon joins cast of animated indie horror feature ‘Malevolent.’
LOS ANGELES -- Coverage Ink Films, producers of the award-winning short Liberator, has signed, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor William Shatner (Star Trek, Boston Legal) to its upcoming animated horror feature film MALEVOLENT. Shatner plays The Overseer, the film’s narrator and voice of unreason. Shatner joins a cast of genre luminaries, including Emmy-nominated star Morena Baccarin (Gotham, Deadpool, Firefly) Daytime Emmy winner Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, Good Night and Good Luck) Dani Lennon (Bite Me) and Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects). The 2-D, hand-drawn time-ripping horror film is described as Saw meets Groundhog Day and is being directed by Jason Axinn (Starpocalypse).
Malevolent is about a young woman named Miriam (Lennon) who works for a non-profit which promotes global peace initiatives. Her career choice is in reaction to her estranged father, a sociopath US war profiteer and billionaire Cyrus DeKalb (Wise). When he learns he is dying, Cyrus calls Miriam and her three siblings together, ostensibly to discuss his will. However, what he actually has planned is to pronounce judgment on each of them. They are, in his view, traitors, and he has elaborate death traps planned for each of them.
At the same time, a race of intergalactic gamblers, who wager on human conflicts as bloody sport, have chosen Miriam as their protagonist for this match. Thus the entire situation is being manipulated by the Gamemaster (Baccarin,) who has the power to call fouls, reverse time and reconfigure events as they play out. And so the playing field is constantly changing under Miriam's feet, sometimes to her benefit, but usually, not.
“Understandably, the chance to work with a legend is a dream come true. This is a groundbreaking project on so many levels. I’m really excited that Mr. Shatner is coming along for the ride,” commented director Jason Axinn.
“We’re entering uncharted territory by producing a unique animated horror film. Who better to boldly go with us than William Shatner?” adds co-writer/exec producer Tanya Klein.
“I revere Mr. Shatner, so this is a major fanboy moment for me,” says cowriter/exec producer Jim Cirile. “His gravitas and sense of humor are perfect for the role of The Overseer. I’m sure a ton of people like me will be eagerly anticipating this gritty, badass, balls-to-the wall horror movie, especially with a cast like this. Mr. Shatner is the insane icing on that cake.”
Source: Coverage Ink Films
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
