After eights weeks of filming principal photography for European and South African production “Northmen – A Viking Saga” has wrapped. The extensive crew and international cast have battled the elements on the shores and in the valleys of South Africa, which replicated the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands where the Viking Saga is set.

Ralph Dietrich of Ascot Elite Entertainment Group commented that, “we are extremely pleased to have wrapped principal photography and are very proud of what we have achieved. Although we had to combat some harsh weather conditions–which were ultimately great for the production but very hard on our cast and crew–we were able to produce spectacular images. This is thanks to the exceptional hard work and talents of our outstanding staff and extraordinary cast. I am sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of our international star cast in the future.”

In “Northmen,” a gang of Viking marauders under the command of their young leader, Asbjörn, advance upon the coast of Britain intent on pillaging Lindisfarne of its gold. But, caught in a vicious storm, their longboat is dashed to pieces on the rocks off Scotland. Trapped deep within enemy territory, the shipwrecked mens’ only chance of survival is to reach the safety of the Viking stronghold Danelag.

With only the enigmatic Conall, a monk who preaches with his sword to help them, they cut a bloody swath through anyone who gets in their way. But the journey becomes a race for their lives when the King of Scotland sends his most feared mercenaries, the Wolf Pack, after them. Traversing an unfamiliar and hostile land, they are pursued relentlessly. However the hunters become the hunted when the Vikings, eager for battle, set deadly traps and mercilessly decimate their pursuers one by one…

The global cast includes Tom Hopper (“Knights of Badassdom,” “Black Sails,” “Merlin”), Australia’s Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood,” “The Right Kind of Wrong”), Irish actress Charlie Murphy (“Philomena,” “The Village”) and up and coming British star Ed Skrein (“The Sweeney,” “Ill Manors,” “Game of Thrones”). This epic adventure saga also features Ken Duken (“Inglourious Basterds”), Anatole Taubman (“Quantum of Solace,” “The Tudors”) and Screen International Star of Tomorrow James Norton (“Rush,” “Belle”).

Nordmedia Fonds GmbH has subsidised the project’s development to date, with production financing from Niedersachsen/Bremen. “Northmen” has received additional subsidies from South African National Film and Video Foundation(NFVF) and the Department Trade and Industry (DTI).

The Salt Company (London) is handling worldwide sales with the UK, France, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand already sold to Entertainment One who jumped in with a pre-emptive bid when the project was announced.