Assassin League: Episode II – Shadows of an Empire

Set in Chicago, the espionage action-thriller Assassin League: Episode II – Shadows of an Empire follows the skilled operative Kendrick Knight as he infiltrates a poker fundraiser at a billionaire defense mogul’s mansion. During this covert mission to retrieve a dangerous dossier, Kendrick uncovers an empire of private military power, autonomous weapons, and hidden agendas. He, along with his partner Michael and an undercover agent, must navigate a game where the stakes have escalated beyond money to matters of life and death.

Matthew Alden is a filmmaker based in Chicago, known for his roles as a writer, director, producer, editor, and the creator of the Assassin League universe.

Alden draws inspiration from Chicago, using genre filmmaking, action cinema, and speculative worlds to delve into real-world social and philosophical issues grounded in relatable human challenges.

His creative expertise includes filmmaking, music videos, marketing, digital media, and data science, resulting in a fusion of cinematic ambition, technical innovation, and strategic world-building.

The aim was to blend the sophistication of classic spy films, the excitement of action-adventure series such as ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, the intensity of contemporary action movies, and the ambiance of Chicago, creating a universe of private power, moral dilemmas, spirituality, and repercussions.

The production employed actual Chicago locations, practical gun effects, explosions, atmospheric lighting, physical action, and authentic performances to craft the sensation of an indie blockbuster made with independent resources.

In Assassin League: Episode II – Shadows of an Empire, Alden expands the universe first introduced in the original Assassin League short film, advancing the saga into its inaugural feature-length installment and continuing his pursuit of filmmaking.

The film is the first to significantly utilize 360º camera technology, featuring framed 360º visuals and a “tiny planet”-style visual approach. The goal was for these images to go beyond being a mere gimmick, aiming to convey perspective, scale, surveillance, distortion, and a world that curves around the characters.

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