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/

Dinosaur Thriller ‘Primitive War’ VOD Release Slated for Oct. 3

 Samuel Goldwyn Films will release the dinosaur Vietnam War thriller Primitive War through VOD platforms Oct. 3.

Directed by Australian independent filmmaker Luke Sparke, Primitive War takes place during the Vietnam War in 1968. A search and rescue team known as “Vulture Squad” is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. As they hunt through the primordial depths of the valley, they discover ancient horrors that not only threaten to unravel their minds but also to end their lives. Dinosaurs have somehow been unleashed, and when the casualties mount, the members of “Vulture Squad” must abandon their human nature and give in to their savage instincts to survive.

The cast includes Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood”), Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Lucifer”), Nick Wechsler (“The Boys”) and Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”). 

According to Samuel Goldwyn Films, the first trailer for the film garnered more than a million views in the first 24 hours, and had a better-than-expected theatrical exhibition starting Aug. 21, grossing more than $1 million in a limited run at domestic theaters with positive audience response.

Source: https://www.mediaplaynews.com/dinosaur-thriller-primitive-war-vod-release-slated-for-oct-3/

Primitive War Hits VOD in October After Theatrical Success

 Following a strong theatrical run, Primitive War is now set to hit VOD platforms on October 3, as announced by Samuel Goldwyn Films.

The dinosaur war thriller debuted in U.S. theaters on August 21 and quickly surpassed expectations with sold-out showings and a strong audience reaction.

Small Release, Big Results

The film grossed over $1 million during its limited theatrical run—a solid showing for an indie sci-fi horror flick. It also scored a 90% audience score on the Popcornmeter, with social media reactions praising the movie’s blend of Predator-style action and dinosaur mayhem.

Star Power and Fan Buzz

Primitive War stars Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, Nick Wechsler, and Jeremy Piven, and was directed by Luke Sparke. The first trailer racked up over a million views in 24 hours, and the movie made waves at San Diego Comic-Con, where Sparke’s panel filled Ballroom 20—making him the first Aussie indie filmmaker to do so.

Dinosaurs and Vietnam Collide

Set in 1968 during the Vietnam War, the movie follows Vulture Squad, a recon unit sent to locate a missing Green Beret platoon. What they find in a remote jungle valley isn’t enemy forces—but dinosaurs. With casualties mounting, the soldiers are forced to embrace their primal instincts to survive.

Director Luke Sparke said he’s excited for more fans to see the movie.

“The response has been amazing so far and I hope this release finds even more fans to support this crazy-bonkers-film, but one it seems people are craving right now,” he said.

Source: https://cosmicbook.news/primitive-war-vod-october

Forget the 54% RT Score, This Underrated Sci-Fi Flick Is the Dinosaur Horror Movie Jurassic Park Never Gave Us

 Jurassic Park brought dinosaurs to the mainstream and revolutionized the sci-fi monster subgenre. For years, there hasn't been another franchise or movie that comes anywhere near to being a worthy replacement candidate. However, this could change with the release of the new dinosaur flick, directed by Luke Sparke. The 2025 Australian movie, Primitive War, is similarly based on a sci-fi novel. Taking place during the Vietnam War, the movie follows the Vulture Squad, led by Sergeant Ryan Baker, as they enter a dinosaur-infested valley during a mission.

Facing threats from both their enemies and ancient creatures, the Vulture Squad has to rely on itself for survival. The underrated sci-fi flick has divided critics since its world premiere. While the critics can't agree on how they feel about the new movie, the fans are loving it. Currently playing in limited theaters, the R-rated movie gives every dinosaur movie enthusiast something they have been craving since Steven Spielberg's 1993 classic.

Primitive War Is Much More Gory Than Jurassic Park

A dinosaur attacking a boat in Primitive War

The Jurassic Park franchise has maintained its PG-13 rating since the 1993 movie that kick-started the world's fascination with dinosaur movies. While the rating has made the franchise more accessible for a larger audience group, as a franchise that builds on the premise of a sci-fi disaster, not having an R-rated horror movie becomes the one thing it missed out on. The franchise's gripping plotlines and the actors' top-notch performances made up for the lack of gore and violence, and for the longest time, it almost seemed like there was no need for an R-rated dinosaur movie. However, Primitive War puts that into perspective, proving that an R-rated dinosaur horror movie is exactly what the franchise lacked. The 2025 horror flick delivers a version of the dinosaur movie that fans didn't know they needed. Primitive War is filled with explicit death scenes and gory details that Jurassic Park never delivered. Since its release, fans have crowned the movie as the most horrific dinosaur movie they've ever seen.

Adapted from Ethan Pettus' novel of the same name, the movie stays faithful to some of the most brutal scenes described in the book, including one scene where a Quetzalcoatlus (widely believed to be the largest flying reptile ever to exist on Earth) flies down and starts feeding on a soldier's intestines while he's still alive. The terrifying scene was already jaw-dropping enough, but it's hardly the worst. Primitive War takes a bit of time in the first 20 minutes to warm up the audience to the horror that lies in the dinosaur-infected valley. After a few harmless hide-and-seeks with seemingly threatening species, the level of danger rises rapidly the closer the Vulture Squad gets toward the collider. Gerald Keyes' death is arguably the most difficult to watch. Having been dragged away by Utahraptor and speared in the stomach while being silenced, he escaped death in the attack but couldn't escape his ultimate fate. By the time Primitive War wrapped, there were few left alive in the Vulture Squad. Discussing a team of soldiers being sent into an impossible war zone to fight not only human enemies but also extinct species accidentally brought back, Primitive War delivered a thrilling viewing experience that blends gruesome deaths with humor and heart. Jurassic Park is an all-time classic, but the franchise has been playing it safe. Luke Sparke's 2025 dino horror flick is a rare project that blows everything wide open.

source: https://tinyurl.com/436kanrm

Audiences Are in For a Wild Ride with 'Primitive War'

 Featuring an eclectic cast of familiar TV faces led by Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Tricia Helfer (Lucifer), Nick Wechsler (Revenge), and Jeremy Piven (Entourage), the sci-fi action horror hit Primitive War takes place in 1968 during the Vietnam War and follows the elite recon unit known as Vulture Squad as they are called in to investigate the disappearance of a Green Beret platoon in a remote jungle. Led by Sergeant Ryan Baker (Kwanten) and his second-in-command, Xavier Wise (Adolphus Waylee), the squad ventures into foreign territory in hopes of finding the missing men, only to discover they are not alone and that terrifying dinosaurs are also roaming wild.

Equipped with the expertise of two resilient Marines and some highly-skilled snipers, Sergeant Baker and his crew declare an all-out war with the de-extinct dinosaurs, viciously hunting them down, resulting in brutal bloodshed and carnage. As if combating dangerous prehistoric creatures wasn't enough, the Vulture Squad also discovers they are being tracked by a Russian unit named the Dogs of War and must stay one step ahead of the relentless team, leading to an explosive showdown between all the opposing forces.

source: https://tinyurl.com/22sjnkep

New Movie Conquers Jurassic Park For Best Dinosaur Villain In History

 Luke Sparke's genre-blending dinosaur horror movie Primitive War includes far more violence and gore than the PG-13-rated Jurassic Park franchise movies, along with a dinosaur villain far scarier than anything the long-running sci-fi franchise has ever featured. With a budget a fraction the size of any Jurassic movie, Primitive War has delivered incredible audience scores with its rip-roaring dinosaur action.

Despite a budget that is reportedly under $10 million, Primitive War manages to include a stunning array of dinosaur species that attempt to remain relatively accurate to the archaeological record. In an apt metaphor for the dangers of the actual Vietnam War, the soldiers at the center of Primitive War's primary narrative are constantly running from or fighting vicious prehistoric predators.

While Primitive War features its own version of some of the Jurassic Park franchise's most famous dino threats, including a pair of T. rexes, amphibious spinosauruses, and a horde of deinonychus, its primary villain is scarier than the rest. In fact, the ultra-intelligent predators that plague the military recon unit in Primitive War are more terrifying than any dinosaur that the Jurassic Park franchise has highlighted.

Source: https://tinyurl.com/34j6yz9s