Independent. Grounded. British.
A character-first action–thriller about loyalty, consequence, and choosing to rise after the burn.
From cast members of the hit BBC series Bugs - reuniting on screen for the first time in decades - PHOENIX honours the spirit fans love: high-stakes missions, tight-knit teamwork, and grounded tech.
Created independently by Cinema Vault Studio, the film forges new characters, new stakes, and a modern cinematic style. Free from legacy IP constraints, we can tell the story the right way - honest, lean, and bold.
The Birth of PHOENIX.
For Ed and Beckett, experience had become armour - and comfort. Years of operations had sharpened their instincts but dulled their edge.
The mission they walked into felt like another day at the office.
It wasn’t.
Betrayed from within and caught off guard, the fallout shook the unit to its core. Trust shattered, loyalties fractured, and the system they had served without question was exposed for what it truly was.
From the ashes of that moment, a choice emerged: fade away, or rebuild stronger. No longer defined by the orders they’re given, the team forged their own identity - one born of humility, loyalty, and resolve.
An identity marked by a new emblem, and a promise that they will not be broken again: PHOENIX.
Beyond the Film.
PHOENIX isn’t just a story - it’s a foundation.
From day one, this project has been built to prove what’s possible when you take a grounded, character-driven British thriller and give it the freedom to breathe.
The film is our proof of concept. It shows the tone, the texture, and the emotional core of a world that can grow far beyond a single story. Every frame, every choice, is designed to stand alone - but also to open the door to more.
The future? Episodic storytelling. A continuing series that follows the PHOENIX team into new missions, deeper betrayals, and the moral grey zones where loyalty is tested most. The kind of show that rewards long-form investment - the kind that audiences can live with, week after week.
The idea started as a way to carry forward the spirit of the BBC series Bugs - sharp, team-focused action rooted in human stakes - without being bound by old IP. By building something new, we own the creative future. And by backing this film, you help prove to the industry that the audience for this kind of storytelling is alive, engaged, and ready for more.
Cast
Craig Mclachlan - "Ed"
Craig McLachlan is an award-winning actor, musician, and entertainer whose career spans over four decades across television, film, and stage. Beloved by British audiences for his turn as Ed in the BBC’s 1990s hit Bugs, Craig helped define the show’s blend of high-tech espionage and character-driven adventure, becoming one of its most recognisable faces.
In PHOENIX, Craig steps back into the genre that made him a household name, reuniting with fellow Bugs alumni in a completely new story world. His portrayal of Ed is no nostalgic replay - it’s the evolution of a man shaped by years in the shadows, now confronting betrayal, consequence, and the cost of loyalty.
Known for his physicality, charisma, and ability to balance humour with emotional truth, Craig brings a lived-in authenticity to the role. His Ed is a man whose easy confidence masks deeper fractures - a professional pushed to the edge, forced to decide whether to burn out… or rise again.
Jesse Birdsall - "Beckett"
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Jesse Birdsall is a veteran of British television and film, celebrated for his precision, presence, and the quiet intensity he brings to the screen. Best known to Bugs fans as the razor-sharp Beckett, Jesse’s work in the original BBC series defined the character as the team’s calm strategist - the mind working a step ahead, even in chaos.
In PHOENIX, Jesse returns to the world of covert operations in a whole new story, stepping into a Beckett who has weathered years of moral compromises and high-risk missions. No longer the unshakable operator we once knew, this Beckett carries the weight of past choices - and in the face of betrayal, must find the steel to rise again.
Jesse’s trademark ability to layer restraint with emotional depth makes Beckett a powerful counterpoint to Ed. Where Ed moves with instinct and force, Beckett plays the long game - a man of discipline, wounded but not broken, whose loyalty to the people beside him will be tested like never before.
Backing PHOENIX
From the ashes, we rise.
PHOENIX is more than a film - it’s a statement. A fiercely independent British action-thriller, built from passion, grit, and the belief that stories still have the power to ignite something in us. We’re making this without the safety net of a big corporation studio. That means every frame is fuelled by the fire of those who choose to stand with us. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of something bold, this is your moment.
Ways You Can Back Us
🔥 Pledge via Kickstarter
Every pound is a spark. Your pledge isn’t just money - it’s momentum, energy, proof that audiences want cinema that takes risks.
🛡 Brand Sponsorship
We’re inviting brands to be woven into the fabric of PHOENIX - authentically, on-screen, in ways that feel real. From cutting-edge tech to iconic wardrobe, every detail is an opportunity to be seen by audiences worldwide.
⚙️ Services & Resources
Film runs on more than funding. Locations. Catering. Transport. Technical gear. If you can provide it, you help us keep the fire burning where it matters most - in the story.
🤝 In-Kind Support
From wardrobe to props, accommodation to vehicles - every contribution saves budget and fuels production. Nothing is too small to make a difference.
Why Back PHOENIX?
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Independent to the core - No corporate control, no compromise.
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Proven cast & crew - Loyal audiences who want this story told.
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Every pound on screen - Transparent, focused budgeting.
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Global potential - A story that can burn bright at festivals and beyond.
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Rewards that matter - From your name in the credits to behind-the-scenes access.
Be part of the rise.
PHOENIX will happen because people like you lit the match. Actors, crew, brands, fans - everyone who joins us becomes part of the story. Together, we’ll prove that from the ashes, we rise.