Vertical picks up rights to sci-fi thriller Parallel starring Danielle Deadwyler, Aldis Hodge, and Edwin Hodge

In an early bid, Vertical secured WW rights to the sci-fi thriller Parallel directed by Kourosh Ahari (The Night, The Yellow Wallpaper) from the screenplay by Jonathan Keasey (Down Wind, MindRiot’s Escape to Atlantis which is filming) and two of the film’s stars, Edwin Hodge (The Tomorrow War, The Purge) and Aldis Hodge (One Night in Miami, Black Adam) alongside. Currently in post-production, the film wrapped principal photography in Vancouver in late 2022. The film is slated for a theatrical release later this year.

A remake of Lei Zheng-directed award-winning Chinese film Parallel Forest, Parallel marks the first project under the Hodge brothers’ new production banner, Hodge Brothers Productions.

Danielle Deadwyler (TILL) stars with real-life brothers Aldis and Edwin who play brothers in the film as well.

Parallel follows the story of Vanessa (Deadwyler) who takes refuge at her family’s lake house to grieve after suffering the loss of her child. Accompanied by her husband, Alex (Aldis Hodge), and his brother, Martel (Edwin Hodge), Vanessa attempts to regain her sense of normalcy after the tragedy. But soon after their arrival, she experiences an aberration when she is attacked by a parallel universe’s version of herself. Faced with the reality that multiverses exist, she must reconcile the fact that these parallel gates will either hold the key to releasing her grief or trapping her forever.

Parallel is produced by Sean Lydiard, Jaylen Moore, Edwin Hodge, Aldis Hodge, Jonathan Keasey, Elliot Michael Smith and Ann Zhang. The film is executive produced by Richie Doyle, Raja Collins, Jovanna Burke, Danielle Deadwyler, Lei Zheng, Chengxi Li, Alex Bretow, Randall J. Bacon and Joseph Lanius, Vertical’s Peter Jarowey, Rich Goldberg and Kristin Harris, Bondit’s Luke Taylor, Tyler Gould and Mathew Helderman. Additional executive producers include Danny R. Carmona, Alex Farnham, Charles H LaHaie, Dean Sheske, Michelle Seanez, Kris Meyer, Ron Baptiste and Ray Coleman. Vertical’s Sammi Farber is the associate producer. The film’s director of photography is Pip White with casting by Cynthia Huffman.

The production companies behind the film include Rumble Riot Pictures and Hodge Brothers Productions. Financing was provided by Fremont Films, One Dollar Studios and BondIt Media Capital.

Rumble Riot’s Sean Lydiard stated, “We sought out a distributor who shared the same fervor for Parallel as we did as filmmakers and Vertical’s passion convinced us we had found a genuine partner who truly understood and shared our vision and dedication.”

Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey commented, “When the opportunity to partner on Parallel presented itself, we said yes immediately. With critically acclaimed source material and an excellent screenplay adaptation coupled with The Night’s Kourosh Ahari set as director, we knew it would be a win-win. It is the perfect fit for Vertical and we look forward to working with Aldis, Edwin and their team for years to come.”

Jarowey and Vertical’s SVP of Production & Development Kristin Harris negotiated the deal on behalf of Vertical with Rumble Riot’s Lydiard, who negotiated on behalf of the production.