How ‘Beast’ co-producer Michael Schwarz Is Taking an Australian MMA Film Global

Australia has produced its share of scrappy, high-impact genre films over the years, but Beast — a muscular MMA drama that has already generated strong test screenings in the United States — may be about to step onto a much bigger stage.

Michael Schwarz is on the ‘left’ outside and ‘right’ inside and his brother Jonathan Schwarz.  Credit: On Set at The Only One: Lisa Tomasetti 

Co-produced by Australia’s Deeper Water Films — home to brothers Jonathan and Michael Schwarz — Beast is gearing up for a major U.S. rollout on roughly 1,000 screens via Lionsgate, backed by a notably strong marketing push for an Australian production. We spoke with producer and filmmaker Michael Schwarz about the film’s journey.

When Schwarz sits down to talk about the film following a late afternoon screening in Sydney, the excitement is palpable — but so is the relief. Making movies in Australia, he admits, is never easy.

The Hollywood Reporter Australia: You must be very excited about 

Beast?

Michael Schwarz:

Oh yeah — I’m incredibly excited for this one. Some films are harder than others to make, and when you’re in the thick of it there’s always that fear that maybe it won’t work. You’re just trying to get through each day of the shoot.

It’s not really until you see the footage assembled — even in an early cut — that you know if you’ve got something. Even if that first cut isn’t perfect, you can feel whether the film has life in it. With Beast, we could feel that pretty early on.

When did the project first come to you?

Schwarz:

Only a few months before we started shooting. Our company actually came on pretty late in the process. We jumped in and helped pull everything together — the crew, logistics, a lot of the moving parts that go into getting a production like this across the line.

What draws you to a project in the first place?

Schwarz:

For us it always starts with the director. Always. When we look at a project we ask ourselves: Can this director carry this film all the way through? Sometimes it’s just a kernel of an idea at that stage. But you’re asking — can they visualize the story? Can they attract the cast you need?

With Beast, we already knew director Tyler Atkins and we’d worked with him before. Our company produced Bosch & Rockit (Ocean Boy) with him, so there was already enormous trust there.

Tyler was really the lynchpin. Once we knew he was directing, we felt the film was in very good hands. He understands emotion in storytelling in a way that elevates the material beyond the sum of its parts.

How difficult is it to get a film made in Australia right now?

Schwarz:

It’s very hard — simply put.

Australia has a lot of advantages: great crews, strong government support and funding structures. But the real challenge is making an Australian film feel global. That’s the tricky part.

People often say, “Just cast international actors.” And yes, that helps. But the story itself has to travel. You have to believe someone in South Korea, or Europe, or the U.S. can connect with it as much as an Australian audience.

For us, that’s the bar. We won’t make something unless we think it has the potential to reach audiences around the world.

You’re still a believer in the theatrical experience?

Schwarz:

Absolutely. There’s magic in the cinema. When you put a group of people in a dark room together and remove the distractions, the audience experiences everything collectively — the tension, the emotion, the excitement.

I enjoy watching films at home too, but there are things you simply can’t replicate outside a theatre.

Beast has reportedly scored very well in U.S. test screenings, and there are plans for a large theatrical rollout.

Schwarz:

That’s right. It’s going to open on around 1,000 screens in the States.

When you start making a film you never know what that release will ultimately look like. Sometimes studios will give you a token theatrical run — a few screens — while simultaneously putting it on VOD.

Technically that’s still “a theatrical release,” but if it’s one screening at 9 p.m. on a Wednesday somewhere, it doesn’t really mean much.

For Lionsgate to come in and say, “We believe in this film. We’re going to put it on 1,000 screens and really push it,” is enormous. It’s also a huge relief.

There’s also a substantial marketing campaign attached to the release.

Schwarz:

Yeah, it’s about a substantial promotional campaign, which is phenomenal. For an Australian film to get that kind of backing is extraordinary. It tells you they really believe the film can connect with audiences.

What’s next for you and your company?

Schwarz:

We actually shot another film immediately after Beast. It’s called The Only One, and I directed that one myself. It’s a much smaller film — a slasher — but we’re really excited about it. We’re currently lining up sales companies and figuring out the best way to bring it to audiences.

Who’s in that film?

Schwarz:

It’s got a terrific young cast. Mel Jarson (Mortal Kombat) is the lead, alongside Saphira Moran (Beast) and Lincoln Younes (Last King Of The Cross).

It also features Luke Bracey, Ben O’Toole, Aaron Glenane, and Sam Delich. It’s a really strong group of emerging talent.

When might audiences see it?

Schwarz:

Probably late this year or early next year. We’re still working through distribution plans.

We’ll talk again when it’s ready.

Schwarz:

Absolutely. I’d love that.

Beast, directed by Tyler Atkins and starring Daniel MacPherson opens in cinemas on April 10 (America) and April 23 (Australia).