Guy Pearce, Te Kohe Tuhaka to star in Lee Tamahori’s ‘The Convert’ – The Hollywood Reporter

Guy Pearce (The Hurt Locker, Memento) and Te Kohe Tuhaka (The dead countries, Love and monsters) has logged in to participate Converta period action epic set in 19th century New Zealand from Die another day and Once upon a time there were warriors director Lee Tamahori.

The feature, which begins the main shoot around New Zealand’s North Island in September, is being sold worldwide by Mister Smith Entertainment, which will introduce the project to international buyers at the Cannes Film Market later this month.

Pearce plays Thomas Munro, a British lay preacher with a violent past who arrives at a settlement in 1830s New Zealand, where he quickly finds himself in the middle of a bloody war between Maori tribes. The manuscript for Convert was co-authored by Tamahori and Shane Danielsen (The faults of the human body) based on an original story by Michael Bennet (Matariki)

“Guy is an ingenious actor, and having him on board will allow me to sleep peacefully at night, for I know he will live in the character of Munro in ways I can not foresee and bring to life. Convert“, said Tamahori in a statement, noting that the shareholder of the period focused on the” early contact between Europeans and Maori, as European settlers were outnumbered by hundreds to one. And Maori had just acquired muskets. “

Tuhaka, a multi-bond staff who made his acting debut in the 2005 Taika Waititis short film Standing Son, is also known as a TV host in New Zealand. He will work as a producer on Convert together with Robin Scholes (Once upon a time there were warriors), Andrew Mason and Troy Lum (The Water Diviner). Bradford Haami will produce with Ngamaru Raerino on board as Māori Cultural Consultant. Convert is set up as a New Zealand-Australia co-production between Auckland-based Jump Film & Television and Sydney-based Brouhaha Entertainment.

Pearce, whose on-screen credits include starring in award-winning tournaments LA Confidential (1997), Memento (2000) and The Hurt Locker (2008), has recently received accolades for appearances on television, including Kate Winslet on HBO’s Jump off Easttown and for the title role in Australian series Jack Irish. He is represented by CAA, Independent Talent Group, Shanahan Management and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.