Dinosaurs vs. Soldiers: Director Luke Sparke’s survival thriller ‘Primitive War’ unleashes a new kind of warfare, premiering on Lionsgate Play

Set in the unforgiving jungles of Vietnam, Primitive War opens an action-packed battleground between man and prehistoric creatures.

War is brutal enough on its own, but add bloodthirsty prehistoric predators into the mix, and survival becomes a whole new nightmare. In Primitive War, what starts as a routine search mission quickly spirals into a brutal fight for survival through a dinosaur-infested jungle in Southeast Asia. This is a war fought in shadows, blood, and teeth.

Starring Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, and Jeremy Piven, the film follows The Vulture Squad, a recon unit deployed to a remote jungle valley in Vietnam to find a missing Green Beret platoon. But instead of hostile forces, they uncover something far more terrifying: deadly dinosaurs and abandoned Soviet experiments. Cut off from the outside world, the squad must fight for survival against these monstrous threats in a jungle where every step could be their last.

Primitive War’s twists the expectations of modern war movies with Jurassic-level fury, delivering a dino-action spectacle loaded with explosive action, sharp performances, and a premise as wild as it is irresistible. The film stands as a bold new evolution of both war cinema and creature thrillers alike. For fans of creature features, military thrillers, and anything dinosaur-related, writer-director Luke Sparke delivers a film straight from his childhood obsessions.

In an interview with SYFY News, he recalled the moment the idea for Primitive Wars took hold: “I was just scrolling through social media and came across the cover art of a raptor jumping out of the jungles of Vietnam as a soldier. It immediately just grabbed me, because it took me back to my childhood. … I had to know more.” That spark led him to the novel by Ethan Pettus, eventually bringing the wild vision to life on screen.

Sparke also highlighted the importance of accurately and respectfully blending historical elements with high-stakes action. “We brought in one of the best military advisers to help me look over the script. He is a Vietnam veteran and has contributed to heaps of war films. He gave me great advice on how to structure the script in a militaristic way,” shared Sparke in an interview with Supanova.

Calling his experience shooting ‘Primitive War’ very surreal, actor Jeremy Piven spoke about the film and his character saying,“I play Jericho, one of these old-school, passionate generals. He just lost a bunch of his green berets. He’s a guy that’s seen everything, but he’s never seen this. Suddenly he comes across a dinosaur tooth, and nothing’s making sense. I love taking these two worlds and having them clash. We have seen war films and I grew up watching Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket and so this film takes all of that grit. And I love taking a guy and just putting him in an uncomfortable awkward situation.”

Whether you’re a history buff, a dinosaur geek, or simply craving an epic genre mash-up, Primitive War brings a fresh and ferocious twist to the battlefield.

Prepare to be on the edge of your seat and witness true survival when Primitive War premieres on Lionsgate Play this December 12 via PLDT Home, Smart, Cignal

About Lionsgate Play

Lionsgate Play, a premium streaming service from Lionsgate India and Starz, offers bespoke quality content to its users. It boasts premium and curated content including Premieres, billion-dollar Franchise Movies and binge-worthy Box Sets. Lionsgate Play is accessible to consumers in the Philippines via www.lionsgateplay.com for Php79 monthly with PLDT Home and Php249 quarterly plan with Smart. 

A curated selection of Lionsgate Play titles is also available on Cignal Super, the Philippines'  first and only streaming aggregator app. With only One Login, One Subscription, users can watch content from multiple streaming apps for only P799/month (Premium+ Plan) or P499/month (Premium Plan).

For more information about Lionsgate Play Philippines, visit lionsgateplay.com and follow them on Facebook and Tiktok.

About Cignal

Cignal is a multi-platform media company in the Philippines, offering a wide range of content through satellite television, streaming services, and digital platforms. With a strong commitment to delivering powerful stories and meaningful connections, Cignal continues to bring joy and entertainment to Filipinos everywhere – enriching lives through innovation, technology, and the Filipino spirit.

About PLDT Home

PLDT Home is trusted by Filipinos to deliver the fastest internet connection and future-ready innovations to their homes. It is the only telco in the Philippines that has received the most prestigious “Fastest Fixed Internet, Five Years In a Row” award at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ 2022 – a first for PLDT and the Philippines. Enabling moments that bring the family closer together, PLDT Home offers unli-entertainment including Lionsgate Play and its library of award-winning titles.

About Smart

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is a wholly owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, Inc., the Philippines’ largest and only integrated telecommunications company. Smart serves approximately 97% of the country’s population with its combined 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G network, providing mobile communications services, high-speed internet connectivity, and access to digital services and content to Filipinos, supporting the country’s growing digital economy, and providing the best customer experience for an increasingly digital Filipino lifestyle.