DNEG, the visual effects studio behind Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, has signed on as co-financier and producer for Francesco Lucente’s fantasy adventure Sinbad. Hong Kong-based Cappu Films will handle international sales across a wide range of territories, with the deal announced just ahead of the Tokyo International Film Festival’s TIFFCOM market. The project marks a major step forward for Lucente’s long-gestating take on the classic sailor tale, bringing together a top-tier effects house and a sales company with a growing footprint in global film distribution.
What the Deal Means for Sinbad
DNEG’s arrival gives Sinbad a significant production partner. The company is not just supplying visual effects; it is putting money into the film and helping to organize the project from start to finish. That combination of financial backing and creative craft is a strong signal to buyers and audiences alike that Sinbad is moving forward with real momentum.
Francesco Lucente wrote the script and will direct the film. In a statement, he described the ambition behind the project in direct terms:
“‘Sinbad’ is a story that has captured imaginations for generations, and our ambition is to bring it to life on a scale and with a sense of wonder that audiences have never experienced before. We’re creating a breathtaking world of adventure, extraordinary creatures, ancient mysteries and unforgettable characters, while keeping the heart of the story deeply human.”
Lucente added that DNEG’s creative talent and Cappu Films’ international reach give the project “an incredible foundation” to realize that vision. The director is not new to fantasy. His previous feature, Starbright, counts Ted Levine, John Rhys-Davies, and Diego Boneta among its cast, and he also directed the drama Badland.
Why DNEG’s Involvement Matters
DNEG has won eight Academy Awards for visual effects, with credits that include Inception, Interstellar, Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Dune: Part Two. The studio is also the visual effects house on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, a connection that has been highlighted in coverage of the Sinbad deal.
For a fantasy adventure built around sea monsters, magical islands, and ancient mysteries, DNEG’s track record carries weight. The company’s teams are known for building large-scale, believable worlds, and that skill set fits directly with what Lucente has described for Sinbad. The deal was announced ahead of TIFFCOM, the film market held alongside the Tokyo International Film Festival, a timing that places Sinbad in front of international buyers at a key industry moment.
Cappu Films Takes the Wheel on Sales
Cappu Films is handling international sales for Sinbad across a broad spread of territories. The company’s rights cover parts of Asia, Europe, the CIS, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa, along with some Pacific island markets. Named territories include China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, German-speaking Europe, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Eastern Europe.
Janice Woo of Cappu Films said the company was excited to team with Lucente again after working together on Starbright. She also pointed to the value of DNEG’s participation:
“DNEG’s involvement is particularly compelling for a fantasy adventure such as ‘Sinbad.’ We introduced the project to buyers in Busan and look forward to developing those conversations as the package comes together.”
Cappu Films was founded in 2018 by independent filmmaker Janice Woo and is headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices in Los Angeles and Beijing. The company focuses on rising filmmakers, genre cinema, and scripted and unscripted television with global appeal. Its catalog includes horror, action, fantasy, and arthouse titles, alongside library titles from Hong Kong’s Golden Era and TV series.
A Long Road to the Screen
Sinbad has been in development for several years. Reports from 2019 indicated that Mark Damon’s DCR Finance Corp. would provide $65 million toward production, with a total budget around $120 million and plans to shoot in Georgia. Those plans did not move forward on that timeline. The project now has a fresh configuration with DNEG and Cappu Films on board, and a production schedule that begins later this decade.
Pre-production on Sinbad is due to begin in early 2027, with delivery set for March 2029. No theatrical release date has been announced. The schedule currently covers production and delivery only, meaning the film is still several years away from reaching audiences.
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What We Know About the Story and Cast
Sinbad is based on the classic sailor tale, a story that has been adapted for screens many times before. Lucente’s version is described as a fresh screen take on the legend, with a focus on adventure, creatures, and ancient mysteries while keeping the human core of the story intact. Casting is still taking shape, and sales conversations are continuing as the wider package comes together. No cast members have been confirmed at this stage.
Cappu Films first showed the project to buyers at the Busan market in South Korea, and those conversations are ongoing. The company is separately handling international sales on A Grim Life, a supernatural thriller starring Joseph Mazzello and set at Los Angeles’ Cecil Hotel, which gives a sense of the kinds of genre projects Cappu is working with alongside Sinbad.
Release Timeline and Production Schedule
Sinbad remains in the early stages of its production journey. Pre-production will begin in early 2027, and the finished film is scheduled for delivery in March 2029. International sales are being handled by Cappu Films across Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and other markets, with DNEG serving as co-financier and producer. No distribution deals for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or India have been announced at this time.
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