The animated action-thriller, created entirely in Unreal Engine, follows Max, a boy held captive who tries to use his ability to create rifts in space and time to escape; available in the U.K. April 22 and the U.S. April 23 with spin-off video game coming mid-2025.
HaZimation is releasing its 3DCG animated action-thriller Max Beyond on digital platforms April 22 in the U.K. and April 23 in the U.S. The film is created entirely in Unreal Engine; the real-time animation technology tools also supported the transmedia adaptation of the movie into a video game, expanding its story and universe. The spin-off game is currently in development and expected to launch in mid-2025.
The movie tells the story of Max, a young boy held captive in a research facility. Using his ability to create rifts in the fabric of spacetime across parallel universes, he searches for the reality in which his brother Leon, a former marine, manages to rescue him. With attempt after attempt ending in Leon’s death, the strain starts to take its toll on both brothers. When Max discovers his captors are using his power against him, he realizes he must stop focusing on how the story ends and rewrite the story from the beginning.
Max Beyond is directed, co-written, and co-produced by Hasraf ‘HaZ’ Dulull (Disney’s Fast Layne, indie sci-fi features - The Beyond & 2036 Origin Unknown), co-written by Stavros Pamballis (Siege On Liperti Street), and co-produced by Paula Crickard (Jolt, The Protege).
"What if you had the ability to reset dimensions to find the right moment that will save your brother, but the more you do it, the weaker you get?” asked HaZ. “Strap in for Max Beyond, a tour de force rollercoaster ride of big & intense action, with edge-of-the-seat thrills and emotionally charged characters as the story pulls the audiences into the mind-bending multi-universe.”
The cast includes BAFTA-award-winning actor Jane Perry (Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman, Returnal), Dave Fennoy (The Walking Dead), and Cade Tropeano (Black Bird). Motion capture performances are by Ace Ruele (Eternals) and Alex Kong (Marvel Studio's What If?).
Yariv Lerner (Rambo - Last Blood, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Amy Gardner (Identicals), and Jason Potter are executive producers. The musical score is by Miroshot, a band known for their experiential music featured in SXSW 2022.
Source: HaZimation
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
