Rajah Brooke Hollywood movie filmed in Sarawak on track for 2021 release

Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers in 'Rajah'. Photo: Margate House Films

Rajah, the Hollywood movie filmed in Sarawak and based on the first Rajah Brooke, Sir James Brooke, is on track to be released in 2021.

In a long-distance interview with StarLifestyle, the film's producer and writer Rob Allyn said that the movie is currently in post-production at Basecamp Studios in Kuala Lumpur.

"The (Covid-19) pandemic delayed our final post production process, which is all being done at Basecamp Studios in KL," he said. "I was forced to leave KL in March (when the movement control order was enforced) and have been locked down here in Santa Barbara, California for the last three months.

"But I’m hoping to re-enter Malaysia soon to finish final post production in July and August so that we can screen the film for the fall festivals in Venice, Toronto, Busan or the early 2021 US festivals at Sundance or Tribeca," Allyn added.

Hollywood Reporter recently published the first look of actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers in his role as Sir James Brooke in Rajah.

The movie is directed by Michael Haussman, who made a name for himself directing music videos for the likes of Madonna (Take A Bow), Justin Timberlake (SexyBack), Selena Gomez (Same Old Love) and many more.

Joining Meyers are British star Dominic Monaghan who plays Colonel Arthur Crookshank, Brooke’s cousin and comrade-in-arms and Hong Kong songstress Josie Ho as Madame Lim, Brooke’s former lover.

Rajah was shot in Sarawak between September and October last year. In an interview with StarLifestyle last year, Allyn said: “We’ve taken over the whole Borneo 744 complex in Kuching for our workshops, production offices and sound stages."

Allyn has revealed then that several Malaysian actors are also in the movie – Bront Palarae will portray the Pengiran Indera Mahkota who was Brooke’s principal rival for power, Shaheizy Sam is Subu, Brooke’s lifetime Malay companion and Rahim Razali will play the Sultan of Brunei.

On IMDB, the synopsis of Rajah reads: "The epic tale of Sir James Brooke, the British adventurer who became King of Sarawak in the 1840s and embarked on a lifelong crusade to end piracy and head-hunting - only to face charges of murder and piracy himself."

Rajah, which is due for release in 2021, is made with the support of the Sarawak Tourism Board and the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) film rebate.