Kevin Spacey drama to shoot in Mongolia and Hungary from October

UK-Hungary-Mongolia co-production 1242 – Gateway to the West, starring Kevin Spacey, Eric Roberts and Terence Stamp, is set to shoot in Hungary and Mongolia from October.

Veteran Hungarian director Peter Soos will helm the film, which is scripted by Aron Horvath and Joan Lane, and produced by Bill Chamberlain and Kornel Sipos.

The film focuses on Batu Khan, grandson of legendary warlord Genghis Khan and founder of the Golden Horde. In 1235 Batu was elected commander in chief of the western part of the Mongol empire. A skilled military commander, he won battles from China to Persia and was given responsibility for the invasion of Europe. However, in 1242 Khan is confronted by a deeply spiritual man and a castle in Hungary that halts his invasion of Europe and ultimately causes his downfall.

Executive producers are Istvan Bodzsar, Carlos Alperin, Norman Merry, Tim Smith, Paul Brett and Csaba Iski. The Mongolian co-producers are Bayar Banzragch and Battushig Batbold.

Gateway to the West is being financed by the National Film Institute Hungary, Foresight Media and LipSync, with post-production set to take place in the UK at LipSync, Pinewood Studios and Abbey Road Studios.

Australia’s Galloping Entertainment will be selling the film at Cannes.