David Hackl (“Saw V,” “Dangerous”) is set to direct the neo-noir action thriller “Solar Storm” for Pelican Pictures, from a script by Joe Rabl. Jack Hudson (“The Devil’s Train”) stars and produces opposite Lorena Andrea (“Warrior Nun”).

Unfolding over a single catastrophic day, “Solar Storm” follows Joe (Hudson), an ex-convict fighting to leave his past behind, whose path collides with Jasmine (Andrea), a woman desperate to escape a brutal marriage. When the largest solar storm in recorded history knocks out power, communications and order across the city, blackouts spiral into looting and riots. As the line between predator and prey burns away, the two go on the run through 24 hours of darkness — hunted by forces that may prove more dangerous than the storm overhead. Related Stories ABC Files First Amendment Lawsuit Against FCC Rosie O’Donnell Was ‘Surprised’ by Jimmy Kimmel’s Guest-Hosting Offer and Believes a David Ellison-Run CNN Would Be ‘Tragic’

“Joe is a man who’s done everything to leave his past behind, only to have the world itself collapse around him,” Hudson said. “The solar storm doesn’t just take the lights out — it strips people down to who they really are. David knows how to make that kind of tension relentless and cinematic. That’s the movie I wanted to make.” Popular on Variety

The cast also includes Massi Furlan (“Jumanji: The Next Level”), Valerie Huber (“Whiskey Cavalier”) and Werner Daehn (“The Lives of Others”) with additional casting underway on the remaining major roles.

Producers include Hudson, Joe Rabl of Pelican Pictures and Walter Mair (“Liaison”) of Trigger Films, with Reinhard Besser (“The Ledge”) executive producing. Trigger Films is anchoring the financing, providing the U.K. tax credit and GAP financing. Mair will also compose the score.

Behind the camera, the crew includes line producer Yanko Ushatov (“The Expendables”), stunt coordinator Rok Cvetkov (“Schindler’s List”), second unit director Alex Cvetkov (“SAS: Rogue Heroes”), aerial coordinator and helicopter stunt pilot Frédéric North (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) and animal coordinator Andrew Simpson (“Fallout”).

“I wrote Solar Storm as a pure pressure cooker,” added Rabl. “One day. No power. No rules. Two people who need each other to survive. The storm outside is nothing compared to what’s happening inside these characters.”

Principal photography is set to begin winter 2026 in Bulgaria on a budget of approximately €15 million.

Hudson is represented by Framework Entertainment. Hackl is repped by IAG; Andrea by 42 and New Era Talent.