David Hackl to Direct Neo-Noir Thriller 'Solar Storm' with Jack Hudson and Lorena Andrea
David Hackl will direct the neo-noir action thriller Solar Storm for Pelican Pictures, with Jack Hudson starring opposite Lorena Andrea, Variety reported on 21 August 2026.
The script, written by Joe Rabl, follows Joe (Hudson), an ex-convict, and Jasmine (Andrea), a woman escaping a brutal marriage. The story unfolds across a single catastrophic day — the largest solar storm in recorded history has knocked out power, and two people running from their pasts must survive a world suddenly gone dark.
Hackl previously directed Saw V (2008) and Dangerous (2021). Hudson's credits include The Devil's Train, while Andrea is known from the series Warner Nun — correction, Warrior Nun. The supporting cast rounds out with Massi Furlan, Valerie Huber and Werner Daehn.
Hudson pulls double duty as star and producer. Rabl produces through Pelican Pictures, and Walter Mair produces through Trigger Films, which is also anchoring the film's financing — combining a U.K. tax credit with GAP financing, a form of bridge lending that covers production costs until permanent funding arrives. Reinhard Besser serves as executive producer. Mair will additionally compose the score.
The production has assembled a crew with international roots. Line producer Yanko Ushatov, stunt coordinator Rok Cvetkov, second unit director Alex Cvetkov, aerial coordinator Frédéric North and animal coordinator Andrew Simpson round out the team, per Variety.
Principal photography is set to begin in winter 2026 in Bulgaria, on a budget of approximately €15 million (roughly $16.2 million at current exchange rates). Bulgaria has become a regular production hub for mid-budget European genre films, drawn by competitive studio costs and experienced local crews.
On the talent side, Hudson is represented by Framework Entertainment, Hackl by IAG, and Andrea by 42 and New Era Talent.
For a neo-noir thriller built around a blackout, assembling a crew heavy on stunt, aerial and animal coordination suggests the film leans into physical action rather than relying on visual effects. A €15 million budget keeps the film in the range where every set piece has to be earned, not bought.
