Vertical’s Middle East Western Desert Warrior starring Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart and Ben Kingsley rides into 1,010 theaters this frame — the end of a long journey to screens for the $150 million project first announced in 2021.

Co-written and directed by Rupert Wyatt ( Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and shot over four years in Saudi Arabia, it premiered at the Zurich Film Festival. Deadline review here .

Defying a ruthless emperor (Kingsley), Princess Hind (Hart) flees into the Arabian desert, hunted by mercenaries led by Jalabzeen (Sharlto Copley). Forged into a warrior and aided by a legendary bandit (Mackie), she unites warring tribes for a last stand.…