A sweeping international saga set to film across Italy in Fall 2026
Canada / Italy — ZMA/Odflix Studio has officially announced the cast and production of its ambitious new feature film, WIZARD HUNTER 1: The Hunt for Evangelion Crowley, the first installment in a planned trilogy blending action, fantasy, and supernatural intrigue. The film will be shot on location across multiple regions in Italy, including Veneto and Sicily, in late autumn 2026.
Produced by Marie A. Barbancourt, Vronsky Bélizaire, and Keith L. Craig, the project marks a bold step forward for the studio’s international slate, bringing together a global ensemble cast and creative team.
Written by Nico Toffoli and directed by acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Tony Dean Smith (Volition, Mercy, Strangers), Wizard Hunter plunges audiences into a high-stakes battle between shadow and light:
Bounty hunter Samuel Stone and his loyal ally Janus Wright are recruited by a mysterious billionaire to locate the Evangelion—a powerful and dangerous magical text linked to Aleister Crowley. As they venture into the Aetherius, a realm where reality collides with the supernatural, they must protect the book from assassins, necromancers, and forces intent on enslaving humanity.
An International Cast Anchors the Saga
Leading the cast, Max Brown stars as Samuel Stone, a haunted bounty hunter discovering his latent sorcerer abilities alongside Cory Hardrict as Janus Wright, a former Marine and elite fighter. Together, they form a dynamic duo navigating a perilous, otherworldly journey. They are joined by screen veteran Michael Ironside as Aleister Crowley, a complex figure seeking redemption within the Aetherius, and Richard Lawson as a mystical shaman bridging the realms of reality and magic. Andrea Tivadar takes on the role of Archangel Gabriel, while Madisin Rian portrays Archangel Michael, one of the key characters who will confront the infamous Necron. The top model ( Armani, Gucci, etc.) is taking on her first major film role. Ian Virgo embodies the incredible Necron, supreme leader of the Legio Corpus, opposite Sanai Victoria as the enigmatic guardian of the Aetherius, an entity possessing neither age nor gender that controls and commands the Aetherius's energies. The cast also features Malika Blessing as a cannibal queen ruling a shadowy domain, Italian actor Nico Toffoli as Ramirez, a cross-dimensional fixer, Italian actress Sveva Alviti as a brilliant laser physicist, and South African actress Nqobile Khumalo as Countess Damasquinos, a shapeshifting queen of the Nereids who practices magic. Additional cast includes Silvio Simac, David Decraene, Corinna Coroneo, Amary Deity, Agathe Levi, and Sarain Boylan as Leila Waddell, a devoted expert in the occult.
A Cinematic Vision Rooted in Myth and Modernity
About Director Tony Dean Smith:
If Nico Toffoli was able to capture the vibrational essence of the story in his writing, we believe Tony Dean Smith will translate that essence into images.
Smith, known for Volition, Strangers, and Mercy, has been fascinated since childhood by the universe portrayed in Wizard Hunter. Speaking of the film’s central character, Samuel Stone,
He says: “Samuel Stone’s journey reflects timeless archetypes that resonate with the challenges of our era. It invites audiences to confront the unseen forces within themselves—and to rediscover the hero within.”
Producer Vronsky Bélizaire adds, “From the moment I read the script, I saw this as a trilogy—a universe rich enough to unfold across multiple chapters.”
The film is already being developed as a franchise, with WIZARD HUNTER 2: The Coverage and WIZARD HUNTER 3: The Redemption currently in development.
ZMA/Odflix Studio continues its strong creative presence in Italy, following previous co-productions including La Danza Nera, Il Teorema della Felicità, etc. Producer and CEO Marie A. Barbancourt emphasizes the country’s cinematic richness: “Italy is a vast film set—each region offers a distinct atmosphere. The crews here are not just technicians; they are true artists.”
Producer Keith L. Craig (known for Mulan, The Lion King, Black Panther, Avengers, and more), who joined Odflix as a Producer and Shareholder, says: "I trust the team's decisions. I'm particularly drawn to Odflix's leadership and their commitment to creating award-winning films with global appeal. The company and its mission align with the values I held while working at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. There, I had the opportunity to work with a similar team that made box office history with world-class intellectual properties such as the Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar franchises.
It’s extremely rare to find an independent production studio that mirrors the business model of a major Hollywood studio while maintaining the same level of experience, supportive culture, and collaborative environment. My new Canadian partnership feels like the perfect new home—I’m honored!”
Filming is scheduled to begin in late autumn 2026 across Veneto and Sicily, with a large-scale international production footprint.
About ZMA/Odflix Studio
ZMA/Odflix Studio is an international production company focused on developing high-concept, globally appealing film and television projects, with a strong emphasis on storytelling, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
No comments:
Post a Comment