Xavier Samuel Bites on 'Bait 3D' Role

SYDNEY -- Twilight: Eclipse bad boy Xavier Samuel has landed the lead in new Australian-Singapore 3D feature, Bait 3D, alongside Julian McMahon and Shari Vinson. 

Bait 3D, produced by Arclight Films, promises to “take the 3D reality of the shark attack to the next level." 

The high concept action thriller follows a group of tsunami survivors trapped inside a flooded supermarket with a pack of man-eating sharks.

The film is Australia's first co-production with Singapore following a treaty signed in 2007, and pioneers the filmmaking relationship between the two countries.

The largely Australian ensemble cast includes Phoebe Tonkin, Dan Wylie, Lincoln Lewis, Alice Parkinson, Alex Russell, Martin Sacks, Cariba Heine, Damien Garvey and Singapore stars Adrian Pang and Yuwu Qi.

Kimble Rendall is directing, replacing Russell Mulcahy, who wrote and developed the script, with Mulcahy remaining as executive producer. 

It will be the first 3D film to be shot in Australia using Panavision's new high resolution Red Cameras with the Element Technica Quazar rig. 3D post production and visual effects will be handled by Blackmagic Design in Singapore working with VFX specialist, Marc Varisco. 

The film is a coproduction with Arclight Films, Pictures in Paradise and Story Bridge Films with Blackmagic Design Films Ltd and Singapore’s Media Development Authority in association with Screen Australia and Film Queensland. 

Principal photography is under way at the Warner Roadshow Studios on Queensland’s Gold Coast. 

Bait 3D is being produced by Gary Hamilton, Todd Fellman and Peter Barber. Executive producers are Chris Brown, Mike Gabrawy and Ian Maycock.

Paramount Pictures will distribute in Australasia. 

"We are delighted to be working with Arclight and such an exciting team on Bait 3D. It is particularly pleasing to see a high profile young Australian cast who have all had great success recently in a range of commercially successful releases," PPA CEO Mike Selwyn said.