Photo: Jesper Brandt Photo: Jesper Brandt

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Magnus Martens

Norwegian screenwriter and director Magnus Martens is internationally recognized for his ability to deliver stylish and violent action while remaining staggeringly entertaining and savagely funny. He made his feature breakthrough with the slick comedy thriller Jackpot (2011) which he wrote and directed based on a Jo Nesbø story. Selected for the Tribeca Film Festival, the critics described Jackpot as bloody and brilliant, and applauded Martens’ deliciously dark style, favorably comparing him to Tarantino and the Coen brothers.

Following his international breakthrough with Jackpot, Martens has directed multiple episodes for some of the biggest TV shows in the US, including Banshee, 12 Monkeys, Power, Marvel’s Luke Cage, Good Behavior, Longmire, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Will and Fear the Walking Dead. Most recently he directed the first two episodes of the anticipated The Walking Dead: World Beyond which premiered in October 2020.

Martens’ latest film, the explosive action thriller SAS: Red Notice, starring Sam Heughan, Ruby Rose and Tom Wilkinson, premiered in March 2021 in the UK and US. In August 2021 SAS: Red Notice was released on Netflix. Furthermore, Martens is director of the acclaimed series Furia, which premiered on Viaplay in September 2021.

Martens most recent feature, the Christmas comedy horror There’s Something in the Barn, had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in September 2023 to great reviews, and premiered in Norwegian theatres in November.

Awards

Montréal International Children's Film Festival (Children's Jury Prize) Canada – United 2004
Mannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival (FIPRESCI Prize) Germany – Folk flest bor i Kina Utopia - Nobody's Perfect in Perfect Country 2002
Mannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival (Special Prize in Memoriam R.W. Fassbinder) Germany – Folk flest bor i Kina Utopia - Nobody's Perfect in Perfect Country 2002
Grimstad Short Film Festival (Dolby Prize) Sweden – Eddie Stargazer 1999
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Filmography

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Photo: Prime Video

‘Jana – Marked for Life’ and ‘Furia’ Season 2 to premiere on Prime Video

It is now official that the much-anticipated series Jana – Marked for Life and Fury Season 2 will premiere on Prime Video.

The new thriller series Jana – Marked for Life follows the investigation of a murder of a high-ranking official at the Swedish Migration Agency. When the main suspect is also found dead, Jana immediately recognizes something on his scarred body.

The six episodes are created and directed by Henrik Björn and Felix Herngren. Daniel Sawka is head-writer together with Maria Karlsson.

The second season of the record-breaking Norwegian series Furia takes place two years after the first. Security police agents Ragna and Asgeir continue to battle extremist forces in Norway – but when an undercover mission goes wrong, the two are forced into a new race against time to foil a terrorist plot. Fury Season One will also be available on Prime Video. 

Furia season two is created by Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen with Magnus Martens directing.

Andreas Hjertø, Head of Content at Prime Video Nordics, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “We’re excited to add these locally produced Original TV series by the best Nordic creators and featuring highly popular Nordic talent to our slate. We are constantly evolving and improving our selection of great series and movies, and we’re looking forward to delighting our customers with these fantastic titles.” 

‘There’s Something in the Barn’ premieres in Norwegian theatres

Magnus Marten’s Christmas comedy horror There’s Something in the Barn premieres today November 10 in Norwegian theatres.

The film had its world premiere at the Texas festival Fantastic Fest in September and has received great reviews.

There’s Something in the Barn is directed by Martens and written by Aleksander Kirkwood Brown.

“Packed with an infectious twee silly humour, There’s Something in the Barn has all the potential to be a future festive favourite. It lands almost exactly in the centre of a Krampus and Gremlins Venn diagram, making it the cheeriest and creepiest horror around.”
★★★★
The Hollywood News, US

There’s Something in the Barn is one that you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes on. It’s a fun, and light-hearted horror film that you will definitely want to add to your annual holiday viewing.”
★★★★
Daily Dead, US

“This is a well-crafted horror-comedy in its own right, and like Gremlins, it’s a total blast. /…/ Director Magnus Martens does a great job of weaving some amazing, almost cartoonish gags into the horror, so he keeps the action fun and light-hearted the entire time. /…/ It’s a monstrously amusing mixture, and it comes together perfectly to make one of the most fun genre films I’ve seen all year. When the credits began to roll, the movie left me with a big smile on my face, and if you get a chance to watch it, I think you’ll love it just as much as I did.”
Horror Obsessive, US

“Anytime you think maybe it’s time to look at your watch, someone throws a Christmas ornament bomb, gets eaten by a snowmobile, or gets chased on a sled. So many fun, weird things happen that even when they don’t fit, it’s still entertaining.”
Gizmodo, US

There’s Something in the Barn is a genuinely funny horror Christmas comedy that strikes a balance between ridiculousness and gore, making it an entertaining watch. /…/ It’s easy to tell the cast had a great time with the material, and their comedic timing is excellent. /…/ There’s Something in the Barn is a horror comedy that seems destined to be a cult classic.”
Screen Rant, US

“The portrayal of the small Norwegian town is authentic, and hilarious. /…/ Magnus Martens is no stranger to horror, having worked on two Walking Dead spin-offs, and he brings those skills here, crafting visually interesting, gory, and very entertaining horror set pieces. /…/ Seeing the family fight their way through Christmas elves, killing and maiming the bearded fellows, makes for a bloody fun time.”
Slash Film, US

Trailer released for ‘There’s Something in the Barn’

The first trailer for Magnus Marten’s Christmas comedy horror There’s Something in the Barn has now been released.

The film follows a Nordheim family who happily have moved into their old family farm up in the Norwegian Mountains. But their lives soon turn into banes and torments as they come across the trickiest of the Nordic folklore creatures, the Barn Elf.

There’s Something in the Barn is directed by Martens, written by Aleksander Kirkwood Brown, and will premiere in Norwegian theaters on November 10.

To see the trailer, press “Read more”

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Viaplay Photo: Viaplay

‘Furia’ returns for a second season

Viaplay will air a second season of the record-breaking Norwegian series Furia in 2023. A dark, multi-layered drama exploring the disturbing underworld of right-wing terrorism, Furia is created by International Emmy winner Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen. Actors starring are Ine Marie Wilmann, Pål Sverre Hagen and Borys Szyc.

The second season of Furia takes place two years after the first. Security police agents Ragna and Asgeir continue to battle extremist forces in Norway – but when an undercover mission goes wrong, the two are forced into a new race against time to foil a terrorist plot.

Furia season two is written by Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen, Ingar Johnsrud, Embla Veier Bugge and Mikkel Bugge, with Magnus Martens as conceptual director.

‘There’s Something in the Barn’ now shooting

Magnus Martens’ Norwegian holiday horror There’s Something in the Barn has begun shooting.

There’s Something in the Barn follows a typical American family who inherit a farm in the Norwegian mountains and cross paths with a tricky creature from Nordic folklore, the Barn Elf. The family must avoid incurring the wrath of this gnome-like Santa by eschewing all bright lights and loud noises and making sure to leave a bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve.

In the leading roles we find Martin Starr (Spider-Man films, Intruders) and Amrita Acharia (Game Of Thrones, The Serpent Queen). Produced by Norway’s 74 Entertainment, with US-based XYZ Films executive producing and co-financing, the film will make its market debut at AFM.

‘SAS: Rise of the Black Swan’ premiere on Netflix

SAS: Rise of the Black Swan, the action film directed by Magnus Martens based on Andy McNab’s novel Red Notice, premiered on Netflix on this Friday and is the second most watched movie in the US this weekend.

The film stars Sam Heughan (Outlander), Ruby Rose (Batwoman), Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes), Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton) and Hannah John-Kamen (Ready Player One) and follows a band of criminals as they hijack the Eurostar train with 400 hostages on board, deep beneath the English Channel where they plan to detonate an explosion, ushering in an economic war on the government. Unbeknownst to the criminals, injured Special Air Service off-duty officer Tom Buckingham is on board the train as well, and he will stop at nothing to thwart the terrorist attack.

‘Furia’ nominated for Series Mania’s International Competition’s Grand Prize

Furia, the original crime thriller created by Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen and directed by Magnus Martens, is in the running for the Grand Prize for ‘Best Series’ at Series Mania’s International Competition.

Furia: On the run from his past and with a new identity, the cop Asgeir moves with his daughter to an idyllic small town in western Norway. A conflict at the local refugee center leads Asgeir to encounter the mysterious Ragna, the owner of a dire secret. She is Furia, a far-right writer spreading dark and sinister opinions to a global audience. A tragic murder puts both Asgeir and Ragna in danger, revealing forces in Norway and Europe far more dangerous than a small-town murder.

Taking place in Lille, France, on August 26 – September 2, Series Mania will also be where Furia has its world premiere.

 

‘Furia’ on Series Mania’s lineup for 2021

Series Mania has announced the lineup for its 2021 event and the selection includes world premieres of some of the most hotly anticipated international series this year, including Furia, the original crime thriller created by Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen and directed by Magnus Martens, about a police officer who goes undercover in a neo-Nazi group.

Furia is a co-production between German producers X Filme (Babylon Berlin) and Norway’s Monster Scripted (Noble).

The festival will take place in Lille, France, on August 26 – September 2.

Read more in The Hollywood Reporter by clicking “Read More” below.

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Trailer premiere for ‘SAS: Red Notice’

The trailer has been released for SAS: Red Notice, the new action film based on Andy McNab’s novel Red Notice, directed by Magnus Martens.

The film stars Sam Heughan (Outlander), Ruby Rose (Batwoman), Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes), Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton) and Hannah John-Kamen (Ready Player One).

SAS: Red Notice will premiere in the UK on March 12, and in the US on March 16.

‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’ to premiere on AMC and Amazon Prime UK

The spin-off series The Walking Dead: World Beyond expands the universe of The Walking Dead, delving into new mythology in a storyline that follows the first generation raised in a surviving civilization of the post-apocalyptic world. Two sisters along with two friends leave a place of safety and comfort to brave dangers, known and unknown, living and undead on an important quest.

The Walking Dead: World Beyond was co-created by The Walking Dead universe producer Scott Gimple and The Walking Dead writer Matthew Negrete, who also serves as showrunner. Magnus Martens is the director of the first two episodes.

The Walking Dead: World Beyond will premiere October 4 on AMC in the US and on Amazon Prime UK the following day.

NENT Group orders ‘Fury’

NENT Group has ordered Fury, an original drama series created by Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen. The series explores the underworld of right-wing extremism in Europe. The eight-part show is directed by Magnus Martens and Lars Kraume.

Fury is a co-production between Norway’s Monster Scripted and Germany’s X Filme Creative Pool Series and ZDF. It will premiere on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service in 2021.

Magnus Martens’ ‘SAS: Red Notice’ has wrapped

Director Magnus Martens’ upcoming action thriller SAS: Red Notice has wrapped production after shooting in London, Paris and Budapest. The movie is based on the bestselling novel Red Notice by former British special forces operative turned writer Andy McNab and stars Sam Heughan (Outlander), Ruby Rose (Batwoman), Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes), Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton) and Hannah John-Kamen (Ready Player One). The screenplay is written by Laurence Malkin and Chad Thumann. The movie will be released in 2020.

Click “Read more” below to read the full article in Deadline Hollywood.

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