Australian streaming service Stan and broadcaster Nine Network have acquired local sci-fi thriller Restoration, starring Craig McLachlan (The Doctor Blake Mysteries).
Sydney-based production company Midnight Snack Productions closed the deal with Nine and Stan, which will premiere the film later in 2016. Nine’s parent company, Nine Entertainment Co, is a joint venture partner in Stan with Fairfax Media.
Directed by Stuart Willis and independently produced by Midnight Snack’s Toby Gibson, Restoration is set in a near-future world where humans have their memories downloaded for backup via a new and dangerous technology.
McLachlan plays a man who awakes after a routine backup with his memories restored into a body that is not his own.
Cast also includes Nadia Townsend (City Homicide), Grant Cartwright (Barracuda), Stephen Carracher (Vanished) and Rosie Lourde (Starting From Now).
Gibson is now exploring international options for the film, which was co-written by Melbourne director Stuart Willis and writing partner Matthew Clayfield. The team is also developing the sci-fi concept as a long-form series.