Tomorrow sequel in the works (original) (raw)

Tomorrow, When The War Began fans can rejoice; the sequel will be made.

Tomorrow writer/director Stuart Beattie has revealed he's working on the next chapter after the success of the big-budget production.

"I'm writing a new screenplay and they've just asked me to write the sequel to Tomorrow, When The War Began so I'll be working on that as well," he told reporters at the AFI awards in Melbourne on Saturday.

Beattie won the AFI for best adapted screenplay for Tomorrow, while the highest-grossing Australian movie of the year also picked up the gong for best sound for Andrew Plain, David Lee, Gethin Creagh and Robert Sullivan in the industry awards announced on Friday.

Tomorrow, which has taken more than $13 million in the Australian box office, cleaned up at last month's Inside Film awards, winning four awards including best film. But the AFIs belonged to David Michod's Animal Kingdom with its 10-award haul.

Based on the first novel in the hugely popular seven-book series by John Marsden, Tomorrow, When The War Began follows eight teenagers who retreat to the bush with shotguns and dirt bikes when hostile foreign invaders take over Australia.

More than $20 million was spent bringing Beattie's adaptation to life - the biggest ever budget for an independent Australian film.

Beattie said the movie, which earned eight AFI nominations, was really made for the audience.

"Usually films that are made for audiences don't usually get recognition at an awards show so I'm totally shocked and very much appreciative," Beattie said after accepting his AFI.

Tomorrow marked the directorial debut of Beattie, who has made a name for himself in Hollywood as a screenwriter with movies such as the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

He said the main challenge in making Tomorrow was satisfying fans and non-fans of the books, while staying true to the novel.

"So I just really wanted to make a film that would both satisfy all the people who had read and loved and obsessed over the book, which there are many, and then all the people who just wanted to see a fun film on Saturday night.

"It's a very tricky line to walk and it's not always easy to satisfy both groups at once."

Actor Lincoln Lewis, attending his first AFIs, said the young cast was thrilled with the film's success.

"I think the audience response alone was enough for us, but the fact that it's getting recognised at the IF awards, at the AFIs, we're really happy with that," Lewis said.

He said the cast didn't dare dream about the movie's success during filming.

"We just put our hearts and souls into making it the most we could at the time."

Earlier this year the former Home and Away star, whose first lead role was in Tomorrow, finished filming drama Mei Mei alongside screen stalwart Guy Pearce.

Lewis and Tomorrow co-star Phoebe Tonkin wrapped up filming of 3D shark adventure Bait, which stars Hollywood-based Aussie Julian McMahon, on Friday.

AAP