Carmel Imrie and the Making of Primitive War: The Rise of a New Australian Sci-Fi Powerhouse

 Australian cinema is entering a bold new chapter  and at the centre of this creative surge stands Primitive War. Produced by Carmel Imrie and directed by Luke Sparke, this ambitious sci-fi thriller has become one of the country’s most talked-about genre projects. With its gripping narrative, authentic filmmaking, and blockbuster-quality visuals, Primitive War confirms that Australia can deliver world-class cinematic experiences without sacrificing its own storytelling identity.

The Birth of a Big, Brave Idea

Primitive War is built on a daring concept: Vietnam-era soldiers stumbling upon a terrifying prehistoric threat hidden deep in the jungle. Adapted from Ethan Pettus’ bestselling novel, the film blends war, survival, and creature terror into one adrenaline-charged narrative.

When Carmel Imrie came onboard, she instantly recognized the potential to create something Australia had never attempted on this scale.

“Yes, there are dinosaurs and battlefields  but underneath it all is a story about humanity and survival,” Carmel reflects.

That philosophy guided every creative choice, ensuring the film delivered spectacle and emotional weight.

Carmel Imrie x Luke Sparke: A Creative Duo Raising the Bar

The partnership between Carmel Imrie and Luke Sparke is quickly becoming a cornerstone of modern Australian genre cinema. Sparke Films already known for titles like Occupation, Rainfall, and Scurry  brings energy, bold ideas, and global ambition to every project.

With Primitive War, their collaboration reaches new heights:

• Luke Sparke brings intensity, suspense, and world-building vision
• Carmel Imrie ensures every moving part from effects to performance to design  is cohesive, polished, and purposeful

Together, they’re crafting films that compete with Hollywood in scale, yet remain proudly rooted in Australian talent and creativity.

“Our goal is simple: make films that feel big, feel human, and push boundaries,” Carmel says.

Building a World Where Dinosaurs Feel Real

Bringing the world of Primitive War to life meant balancing realism with imagination. The lush, dangerous jungles of Vietnam were recreated through:

• Detailed set builds
• Tactical production design
• On-location shoots
• Advanced CGI blended with practical effects

Carmel’s focus was to make every corner of the film feel lived-in:

• Uniforms and military gear matched historical accuracy
• Creature sequences were choreographed for realism
• Character relationships reflected the emotional strain of war

By grounding the film in authenticity, the prehistoric elements hit harder and feel more believable.

“The world must feel real for the danger to feel real,” Carmel emphasizes.

Sparke Films: Pushing Australian Cinema Forward

Sparke Films has established itself as a studio defined by ambition, innovation, and storytelling on an international scale. With Primitive War, the company proves once again that Australian productions can achieve blockbuster scope with local teams, local talent, and local vision.

Carmel Imrie’s leadership plays a major role in that growth. Her ability to balance creativity, practicality, and collaboration helps each film reach its full potential while maintaining artistic integrity.

The result? A production house that inspires new filmmakers and elevates the Australian film industry as a whole.

A Global Wave of Anticipation

Even before its full release, Primitive War has generated buzz across fan communities, social media, and festival circles. Early footage has been praised for:

• Impressive visual effects
• Gritty performances
• Immersive storytelling
• A cinematic style rarely seen in local genre films

Carmel and the team have embraced modern marketing sharing behind-the-scenes content, director insights, and interactive fan updates creating a strong, passionate audience before the movie even hits major platforms.

Marking the Future of Australian Sci-Fi

For Carmel Imrie, Primitive War is more than a production credit  it’s proof that Australian filmmakers can dream big, deliver bigger, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best.

As the film approaches its global release on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major platforms, one thing is clear:

Primitive War Triumphs With Audiences: A Dinosaur Blockbuster That Hits Hard

 Few modern creature features have captured audience attention quite like Primitive War. Directed by Luke Sparke and produced by Carmel Imrie, the film fuses military combat with prehistoric terror — a combination that has clearly resonated with moviegoers everywhere.

According to CBR, Primitive War has achieved a remarkable 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcorn Meter, signalling strong viewer enthusiasm. While critics continue to weigh in, early audience reactions highlight the film’s gripping action, intense atmosphere, and exhilarating dinosaur encounters, making it a standout fan favourite.

A Fresh Take on the Creature-Feature Formula

Rather than relying on familiar “soldiers vs. dinosaurs” clichés, Primitive War elevates the genre with grounded realism, immersive VFX, and a tone that expertly blends tension with explosive action. Viewers have praised its dynamic battle sequences, atmospheric jungle environments, and the sheer thrill of humans confronting deadly prehistoric beasts.

This wave of excitement has broadened the film’s appeal beyond action fans, pulling in sci-fi lovers and monster-movie enthusiasts alike. The buzz has firmly established Primitive War as one of the year’s most talked-about creature adventures.

A Passion-Driven Production

Behind the camera, the film is powered by a dedicated creative team including Carmel Imrie, Carly Sparke, Luke Sparke, Geoff Imrie, and Alex Becconsall, under the banners of SparkeFilms and Let It Be Entertainment. Together, they’ve transformed Ethan Pettus’ gripping novel into a cinematic spectacle.

From its atmospheric music to its intricately crafted dinosaur designs, every element reflects the team’s commitment to world-building and authenticity a commitment audiences have clearly embraced.

Audience Approval Outshines Early Criticism

While some initial critiques note tonal departures from the book, the overwhelmingly positive audience rating tells a different story. Fans describe the film as bold, entertaining, and refreshingly ambitious, proving that Primitive War delivers exactly the kind of adrenaline-fueled escapism viewers crave.

As highlighted by CBR, the movie has struck its intended target: thrill-seekers looking for heart-pounding adventure and big-screen chaos.

Final Verdict

With soaring audience scores and increasing buzz, Primitive War confirms that the creature-feature genre is far from extinct. Supported by striking visuals, strong production work, and passionate storytelling, the film reinforces Carmel Imrie and Luke Sparke as visionary creators bringing daring, high-energy cinema to life.

Primitive War: Luke Sparke and Carmel Imrie Take Australian Cinema Global

 Australian cinema is once again commanding international attention, and at the forefront of this movement is Primitive War  a thrilling new film directed by Luke Sparke and produced by Carmel Imrie. Recently, Signature Entertainment secured the UK and Irish distribution rights to the dinosaur-fueled action epic from Sparke Films, marking yet another major achievement for the Australian production house.

A Bold Story and Visionary Team

Set in Vietnam during 1968, Primitive War follows a reconnaissance unit sent deep into the jungle to locate a missing platoon. What begins as a standard military mission quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival when the soldiers encounter an unimaginable prehistoric threat — dinosaurs.

The film features an impressive international cast including Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Jeremy Piven (Entourage), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), and Nick Wechsler (The Boys). With Sparke at the helm as writer-director and Imrie producing, the project stands as a bold testament to the creative ambition driving modern Australian filmmaking.

From Comic-Con to the World

Primitive War made headlines following its exclusive panel and trailer debut at San Diego Comic-Con a groundbreaking first for an Australian production. After a successful U.S. theatrical release, the film is now gearing up for its UK and Irish cinema debut, signaling its growing global momentum.

This success not only reflects the movie’s thrilling concept and cinematic quality but also underscores Carmel Imrie’s strategic vision and excellence in production management elements that have helped propel Sparke Films onto the world stage.

Carmel Imrie’s Impact and Leadership

As Executive Producer and Company Director, Carmel Imrie has been instrumental in every stage of Primitive War’s journey from securing financing and guiding creative direction to overseeing international partnerships and distribution deals. Her leadership, professionalism, and unwavering dedication continue to elevate Sparke Films as one of Australia’s most dynamic and globally recognized production companies.

A Landmark Moment for Australian Filmmaking

Primitive War isn’t just another action spectacle  it’s a cinematic statement. It embodies the innovation, teamwork, and global ambition of Australia’s film industry. With Carmel Imrie and Luke Sparke leading the charge, this project sets a powerful new standard for independent filmmaking from Down Under and reaffirms Australia’s growing influence on the global cinematic landscape.

Behind the Scenes of “Primitive War” Producer Carmel Imrie’s Vision

 In Australia’s rapidly evolving film landscape, few productions have sparked as much excitement as Primitive War. Produced by Carmel Imrie alongside director Luke Sparke and SparkeFilms, the project delivers a thrilling blend of science fiction, action, and adventure  anchored by a bold creative vision that pushes the limits of Australian genre filmmaking.

Yet beyond its pulse-pounding visuals the dinosaurs, explosions, and high-stakes combat  lies a deeper story of passion, perseverance, and production mastery. This is the world of Primitive War through the eyes of Carmel Imrie, whose leadership and creativity helped turn an ambitious concept into cinematic reality.

Bringing a Bold Concept to Life

Primitive War is far more than a typical sci-fi action film. Adapted from Ethan Pettus’s acclaimed novel, it immerses audiences in the chaos of the Vietnam War era  where soldiers face not only the brutality of conflict but the unimaginable terror of prehistoric creatures deep in the jungle.

When Carmel Imrie came aboard as producer, she immediately saw both the challenges and the enormous potential of the project. Turning such a high-concept story into a grounded, emotionally resonant film demanded equal parts artistry and precision  qualities Carmel has refined over years of working across independent and studio productions.

“It was about bringing authenticity to the chaos,” Carmel reflects. “Even with fantasy elements, the emotion and environment needed to feel real and believable.”

Balancing Realism and Imagination

One of Imrie’s most significant contributions was ensuring that Primitive War remained authentic despite its fantastical premise. Working closely with Luke Sparke, she helped build a production process that blended traditional filmmaking craftsmanship with advanced visual effects technology.

From coordinating large-scale jungle shoots to synchronizing the efforts of departments spanning creature design, sound, and visual effects, Carmel’s steady hand kept the production unified and efficient.

Behind the scenes, Sparke Films utilized a hybrid of practical effects and cutting-edge CGI to bring the film’s dinosaurs to life. Still, as Carmel emphasizes, Primitive War is ultimately a human story about soldiers confronting not only external monsters, but the internal toll of war.

The Sparke Films Ethos: Passion with Precision

As a core member of Sparke Films, Carmel Imrie plays a crucial role in shaping the company’s creative direction. Under Luke Sparke’s leadership, the studio has become synonymous with Australian-made films that compete confidently on the world stage from Occupation and Occupation: Rainfall to Scurry and now Primitive War.

Carmel’s meticulous approach to resource management, creative collaboration, and storytelling integrity ensures every project meets the highest standard. Her ability to fuse artistry with production efficiency positions her as one of the standout producers driving the next wave of Australian cinema.

“What drives us at Sparke Films is the belief that Australian stories can be global stories,” says Carmel. “We want the world to experience the creativity coming from our corner of the industry.”

Buzz, Festivals, and Fan Excitement

Even before its full release, Primitive War has generated significant buzz across online communities, fan forums, and genre film festivals. Early previews have praised its immersive world-building, emotional performances, and technical prowess  strong indicators of audience enthusiasm.

Carmel and her team have prioritized a grassroots promotional strategy, engaging directly with fans through social media, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage shared via Sparke Films’ channels. It’s part of Carmel’s philosophy of direct-to-fan storytelling, creating a genuine and interactive connection between creators and audiences.

Looking Ahead: A Producer’s Vision

For Carmel Imrie, Primitive War is more than a milestone  it’s a statement about the potential of Australian filmmaking. Her commitment to innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity ensures that fresh voices and emerging talent remain at the heart of every production.

With projects like Primitive War, Carmel and Sparke Films are proving that Australian cinema can compete with the world’s biggest franchises without losing its unique cultural voice.

Experience “Primitive War”

Audiences can soon experience Primitive War on major streaming platforms including Prime Video and Apple TV, following its festival circuit debut.
To learn more about Carmel Imrie’s work and her journey as a producer, visit her Screen Australia profile.

The Budget For The Dinosaur Movie Primitive War Is Shockingly Low

 The world is slowly discovering director Luke Sparke's outlandish dinosaur movie "Primitive War." Following its limited theatrical run, the Vietnam War film/prehistoric creature feature has been gaining a following, mostly because it's as ridiculous as it sounds. It's also easily one of the best dinosaur movies ever made without "Jurassic" in the title. Amazingly, Sparke and his team managed to accomplish all of this on a remarkably tiny budget.

I had the good fortune of speaking with Sparke ahead of the U.S. digital release of "Primitive War" on October 3, 2025. During our conversation, I asked him about the film's budget, which had yet to be confirmed. The movie itself was a completely independent production made outside of the Hollywood studio system, which he highlighted. Here's what he had to say about it:

"I haven't really talked too much about what we made it for. Obviously, it's a completely independent film. There's no government money from Australia. There's no studio. There's no pre-sales. There's literally nothing. It was literally just us making this movie. 'Godzilla Minus One' was around the $20 million mark, it's less than that. There's people online talking numbers here and there."

For the record, the official budget for "Godzilla Minus One" was pegged closer to $15 million. Sparke added that his budget was definitely on the "lower side." I asked specifically about the unverified $7 million figure that had been floating around online, to which he replied, "Not far off." I then told him I had said to people previously, "If they made this movie for $7 million, I will eat my shoe. He simply responded, "You can probably go start eating."

Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/1983170/primitive-war-dinosaur-movie-budget/

‘Scurry’ – ‘Primitive War’ Director Delivers Underground Bloodbath in Single-Take Spider Movie [Trailer]

 Up next from director Luke Sparke (this year’s Primitive War) is the underground horror movie Scurry, which we’ve learned will be releasing on VOD outlets on October 3, 2025.

Interesting to note, that’s the very same day that Luke Sparke’s dinosaur action-horror movie Primitive War makes its debut at home, in the wake of a theatrical release last month.

Scurry centers on monstrous, genetically altered spiders, and according to the press materials, Sparke and his team shot the film “in real-time using a single continuous take.”

“When an unthinkable attack devastates their city, two strangers find themselves trapped beneath the chaos, wounded and disoriented. As they fight to survive in a narrowing underground tunnel, their injuries worsen, and their chances of escape dwindle.

“But the collapsing passageways aren’t their only threat—something relentless and hungry is lurking in the darkness.”

Jamie Costa stars alongside singer/songwriter/actress Emalia.

Luke Sparke said in a statement, “At its heart, Scurry is about survival in an environment that turns against you. The idea of being trapped, isolated, and pursued by something terrifying taps into primal fears we all share. I wanted to craft a story that is as much about the characters’ emotional journeys as it is about the sheer pulse-pounding horror of their situation. Every shadow, every creak, every breathless moment is designed to pull the audience deeper into the chaos. Most importantly, I want Scurry to be an experience—one that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It’s a love letter to the great monster movies of the past, but it also carves its own terrifying path forward. Buckle up, because this one’s going to be a wild ride.”

One Big Thing Sets Primitive War's Dinosaurs Apart From The Ones In Jurassic Park

 "Jurassic Park" is pretty much the undisputed greatest dinosaur movie of all time. It spawned a massive franchise that currently consists of seven movies and, in all likelihood, will soon gain an eighth after the success of this summer's "Jurassic World Rebirth." But one thing that the "Jurassic" movies largely haven't had, despite almost having a monopoly on the genre, is scientifically accurate dinosaurs. That's what helps director Luke Sparke's "Primitive War" stand out.

Based on Ethan Pettus' novel of the same name, "Primitive War" arrived in select theaters over the summer and soon won over audiences. Despite having a fairly limited budget, Sparke managed to cram this movie full of dinosaurs, many of which look very different from the ones we've seen in the "Jurassic" films. There's a good reason for that.

"It was definitely something I kept saying on set. I kept saying that to people throughout the production, as we want to make sure that, you know, these dinosaurs aren't cloned," Sparke said in a 2024 interview with Kaiju United. Without getting into spoilers, the film doesn't feature dinosaurs recreated by humans. They're the genuine article. As such, Sparke had to try as hard as he could to make them accurate. The director continued:

The movie takes place during the Vietnam War in 1968 and centers on a recon unit that's been sent to an isolated valley deep in the jungle to find a missing platoon. They quickly discover they're not alone, though. Inexplicably, there are dinosaurs all over this place. Again, not to spoil it for people who haven't seen the movie, but the explanation for the dinosaurs is, in a word, outlandish.

Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/1972091/primitive-war-jurassic-park-dinosaurs-difference/