Tykwer, Wachowskis' 'Cloud' draws crowd

LONDON -- Hong Kong's Media Asia Group, China's Wants the Dragon Pictures and Singapore's Ascension Pictures have grew to become an associate from the worldwide co-producers of "Cloud Atlas," which starts shooting on Friday. The $100 million independent film is co-directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski and Tom Tykwer. Cast includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Susan Sarandon, Keith David, David Gyasi, Zhou Xun and Doona Bae. Modified from David Mitchell's novel, the epic film weaves six tales across multiple cycles and nations, while you soul is created in the killer in to a deliverer, while using stars apparently playing a variety of parts. Filming will occur at the same time with two full models in Scotland, The nation and Germany. Pic is produced by Grant Hill and Stefan Arndt of Germany's X Filme, which has German-speaking rights. Warner Bros. is disseminating within the U . s . States, with Focus Features Intl. handling worldwide sales. Media Asia Group, Wants the Dragon Pictures and Ascension Pictures required equity stakes, additionally to disseminating the film inside their particular areas. Russia's A Company is yet another co-producer in the project, and may distribute across Russia and Eastern Europe. Rights in Japan, France, the U.K. and Australia are actually held back with the producers and you'll be offered as filming progresses. Like the Wachowskis' previous films "Speed Racer" and "V For Vendetta," the project has attracted on heavily into German subsidies, obtaining a record-breaking total of 14.55 million ($20 million) from federal and regional funds. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com