Melissa Barrera, known for her role in Scream VI, has joined the survival thriller Black Tides as a co-lead, starring alongside John Travolta in the film directed by Renny Harlin, famous for Cliffhanger and Die Hard 2.
Principal photography for Black Tides has officially started in Gran Canaria, Spain. The cast also includes Travolta’s daughter, Ella Bleu Travolta (The Poison Rose), Álvaro Mel (A Perfect Story), and Dylan Torrell (Islands), who will play key roles.
As previously announced before Cannes, Black Tides follows Bill Pierce (Travolta), an estranged father attempting to reconnect with his daughter Rebecca (Barrera) and grandson Sebastian (Torrell). Their sailboat is attacked by rogue orcas off the southern coast of Spain, sparking a tense fight for survival in the open waters. The screenplay is written by Chris Sparling (Greenland) and Ángel Agudo (Apocalypse Z). The film is produced by Adrián Guerra and Nuria Valls for Nostromo Pictures, known for titles like Buried and Bird Box Barcelona. The Solution Entertainment Group is handling international sales outside of Spain and is actively negotiating with buyers ahead of the American Film Market.
Director Renny Harlin comments, “Melissa brings both fire and vulnerability to a role that demands it all—emotionally, physically, and cinematically. She and John are movie magic together, elevating every moment of this story.” Producer Adrián Guerra adds, “Shooting at sea is incredibly challenging, but the footage we’re capturing is stunning. The cast has bonded in a rare and powerful way, and Renny’s direction perfectly balances raw spectacle with genuine human emotion.”
This film marks Ella Bleu Travolta’s fifth screen appearance at age 25. She is currently in post-production for the 2023 feature Get Lost and is working alongside Sosie Bacon on the comedy-horror Nice People. Her previous film credits include The Poison Rose (2019) and Old Dogs (2009), both starring her father, John Travolta. Barrera is represented by Independent Artist Group (IAG), Range Media Partners, and Gang Tyre. Ella Bleu Travolta is represented by Mosaic and Gersh, Álvaro Mel by STA Talent Agency, and Dylan Torrell by Allen & Abel.
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