The anticipated thriller Primitive War, a unique blend of Vietnam War drama and Jurassic Park-like adventure, recently showcased its latest trailer at San Diego Comic-Con. The film is an adaptation of Ethan Pettus’s 2017 novel and is produced in Australia. It tells the story of the Vulture Squad, a specialized team sent into the jungle to locate a missing group of elite Green Berets. The film is directed, produced, and co-written by Luke Sparke, who adds a unique twist to the war genre narrative.
This twist involves the jungle being home to prehistoric creatures such as a Tyrannosaurus Rex and velociraptors. The Vulture Squad must navigate this perilous environment, facing off against dinosaurs while attempting to complete their mission. Primitive War features a cast including Nick Wechsler, Jeremy Piven, Ryan Kwanten, Lincoln Lewis, Jake Ryan, and Tricia Helfer (known for her role in Battlestar Galactica), several of whom were present at SDCC 2025 to promote the film.
ScreenRant proudly offers the first glimpse of the latest Primitive War trailer outside of the Comic-Con panel. Continue reading for more insights.
Insights from the New Trailer of Primitive War
“I Aimed for Audiences to Experience the Intensity and Realism…”
The phrase “this ain’t no walk in the park” aptly describes the terrifying settings shown in the trailers and teasers, but the latest trailer gives us a closer look at the characters in jeopardy. We see the desperation of Jericho (played by Piven) as he deals with the disappearance of his Green Berets, matched by the determination of Eli (Wechsler), Sophia (Helfer), and Baker (Kwanten) as they push forward with the rescue mission. The courage required to be part of the Vulture Squad is evident as they confront beasts they thought were only a part of history.
The director expressed his vision for the film’s grounded yet fantastical storytelling in a statement:
I have always been captivated by storytelling that feels grounded, where the spectacle stems from genuine danger. Presenting it at Comic Con was surreal. My aim was to infuse the film with a gritty, raw quality that’s unlike anything audiences have seen before. I wanted the audience to feel the heat, smell the gunpowder, and truly believe in the scenario of dinosaurs on the battlefield. Filmed in Australia with independent funding, this movie is a homage to the creature features I loved as a child, brought to life on a grand scale without major studio or government support.
Primitive War is set to hit theaters in the USA and Australia on August 21.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
