Steve Zahn Heads to Deep Space in New Sci-Fi Thriller SENTINEL From Newly Launched InTension Industries
There’s a new sci-fi thriller on the horizon, and it’s bringing Steve Zahn along for a tense ride through the void. Zahn has officially signed on to star in Sentinel, a deep-space survival story that’s shaping up to be one of the first major projects from a newly formed production banner, InTension Industries.
The company itself is an interesting mix of industry veterans and indie creatives. Leading the charge is Brigham Taylor, best known for producing The Jungle Book and Christopher Robin.
He’s joined by producer Dave Hunter, former studio executive Ian Puente, and filmmaker Tom Goodall, who will oversee creative development. Together, they’re aiming to carve out a space focused on genre storytelling, particularly thrillers that lean into high-stakes concepts.
Sentinel fits that mission perfectly. The story centers on an engineer stranded in a drifting escape pod, racing against time as oxygen dwindles. But survival isn’t just about fixing broken systems.
He also has to figure out who, or what, is sabotaging his chances of making it out alive. It’s a contained setup with a psychological edge, the kind of role that gives Zahn plenty of room to stretch.
Zahn has had a strong run lately, especially with his performance in The White Lotus, and this project feels like a natural next step into more intense territory.
He’ll be working under the direction of Rick Gomez, whose feature She Dances premiered at Tribeca and landed a deal with EKKL. Production is expected to kick off later this year, with a 2027 release in mind.
While Sentinel is grabbing attention, it’s just one piece of InTension Industries’ early lineup. The company is also developing Rio Diablo, a South American-set thriller about mercenaries being hunted through the jungle by an escaped bull hippo.
That film will be directed by Esteban Arango, whose work on Blast Beat and Ponyboi made waves at Sundance, with Matt Graham onboard as executive producer.
For Taylor, this new venture marks a shift after years working within the studio system. He said, “After years shaping films that resonate with audiences, I’m thrilled to step into this next chapter with such an experienced and well-balanced team.
“Our goal is to champion projects that push boundaries while still delivering the kind of thrilling cinematic experience audiences want to see on the big screen.”
That mission statement lines up well with what Sentinel promises. A stripped-down survival story set in the emptiness of space, driven by paranoia and dwindling resources, feels like a strong way to introduce what this company is all about.
Source: Deadline