Steadvar — News without the noise

Privacy · Terms · About

© 2026 Steadvar. All rights reserved.

ACT3 and Blackops Studios Asia Launch International Action Thriller 'Lotus'

Entertainment1h ago
Share

Similar Articles

Disruptive Element Films Secures UK Funding for Four-Film Thai Production Slate

EntertainmentBusiness5/14/2026

CreaZion Studios Announces Cast for Filipino Horror Film 'Knock Three Times'

Entertainment5/11/2026

Third Culture Content Launches Night Market Studios With Four-Film Slate at Cannes

EntertainmentBusiness5/14/2026

K-Movie Entertainment Presents Indonesian Action Slate at Cannes Market

EntertainmentBusiness5/17/2026

Mise En Scene Company Acquires Sales Rights to 'Dope Queens' for Cannes Market

EntertainmentBusiness5/12/2026

Hong Kong-based ACT3 and Philippine production company Blackops Studios Asia have announced their first joint film, the action thriller 'Lotus', with principal photography set for Manila and Brazil this fall. The project, featuring an international cast including Cuba Gooding Jr., was introduced to buyers at Cannes. It is the first of a five-film slate deal between the two companies.

Facts First

  • Cuba Gooding Jr., Luke Ford, Keith Duffy, and Qymira are cast in the international action thriller 'Lotus'.
  • 'Lotus' is the first film in a multi-year, five-film slate deal between ACT3 and Blackops Studios Asia.
  • Filipino filmmaker Pedring Lopez will direct and co-wrote the screenplay.
  • Principal photography is scheduled from September through October in Manila, with additional filming in Brazil.
  • A second cornerstone project, 'A Thread of Steel', is scheduled to shoot in 2028.

What Happened

Hong Kong-based ACT3 and Philippine production company Blackops Studios Asia have announced the cast for their first joint production, the international action thriller 'Lotus'. The film will star Cuba Gooding Jr., Australian actor Luke Ford, Irish singer Keith Duffy, and multimedia artist Qymira. Filipino filmmaker Pedring Lopez will direct and co-wrote the screenplay with Rex Lopez. The project was introduced to international buyers and distribution partners at the Cannes Film Market.

Why this Matters to You

If you enjoy international action films, this project may bring a new wave of productions to your screen, blending talent and crews from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Brazil, and the United States. The partnership's multi-film slate suggests a sustained effort to create content for global audiences, which could lead to more diverse cinematic offerings in the coming years.

What's Next

Principal photography for 'Lotus' is scheduled to take place from September through October in Manila, with additional sequences to be filmed in Brazil. Additional Filipino casting for the film is currently ongoing. The partnership's second cornerstone project, a China-set action epic titled 'A Thread of Steel', is scheduled to shoot in 2028.

Perspectives

“
The Cast express excitement about the film's visceral energy and the unique opportunity to connect diverse locations like Manila and Brazil through a story that feels both personal and global.
“
Industry Observers highlight the film's immersive qualities, noting that the grounded, unpredictable world and the specific backdrops of Manila and Brazil create an immediate and cinematic experience.
“
The Filmmaker intends to create a project that is 'dangerous, emotional and alive', aiming to capture the chaos of Southeast Asia and Latin America for a global audience.