Vertical Releases Trailer for Desert Warrior

Vertical has released the first trailer for Desert Warrior, an epic historical action drama directed by Rupert Wyatt and set for release in U.S. theaters on April 24, 2026. The film, shot primarily in Saudi Arabia, stars Anthony Mackie as a legendary bandit, Aiysha Hart as Princess Hind, and Sir Ben Kingsley as the ruthless Emperor Kisra, with supporting roles filled by Sharlto Copley, Ghassan Massoud, Sami Bouajila, Lamis Ammar, Géza Röhrig, and Numan Acar.

The story unfolds in seventh-century Arabia amid feuding tribes and political intrigue. Princess Hind defies her predetermined fate by refusing to become a concubine to Emperor Kisra. She flees into the desert with her father, pursued by a merciless army of mercenaries. Along the way, she encounters the bandit, who harbors his own secrets and aids her transformation from fugitive to warrior. Together, they forge alliances among warring tribes, culminating in the Battle of Dhi Qar, a pivotal clash that alters the course of history. Wyatt, known for directing Rise of the Planet of the Apes and The Gambler, co-wrote the screenplay with Erica Beeney and David Self, blending historical elements with intense action sequences and...