Monday, 01 June 2026
Ahmed Ezz (Source: Producers)
Egyptian megastar praises Hollywood duo for elevating '7Dogs' beyond visual spectacle
Egyptian megastar Ahmed Ezz said his latest action blockbuster 7Dogs aims to shatter traditional boundaries in Arab cinema and compete on a global scale, pushing the limits of regional production values and visual storytelling.
Speaking to London-based pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat, Ezz emphasized that the high-octane project was conceived as more than just a massive action flick.
"From the very beginning, the idea behind 7Dogs was to break the conventional boundaries that Arab cinema has been accustomed to," Ezz said. "It is a genuine attempt to present an experience capable of competing globally and changing stereotypes about the limits of Arab cinema."
The film, which reunites Ezz with fellow Egyptian heavyweight Karim Abdel Aziz, received an "exceptional boost" from Turki Al-Sheikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Ezz noted.
Driving the film's ambitious vision are Belgian-Moroccan directorial duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys for Life, Ms. Marvel). Ezz credited the filmmakers' Hollywood background for giving the production its rigorous, fast-paced discipline.
"They possess a different approach to managing action films, relying on speed, discipline, and precise visual thinking," Ezz said. "The chemistry between them on set was very clear—they moved as if they were a single mind."
Ezz added that the directors’ Moroccan roots allowed them to seamlessly bridge the gap between Hollywood's exacting technical standards and the cultural nuances of Arab actors. Remarkably, the sweeping blockbuster was wrapped in just 60 days, with the directors frequently managing multiple shooting units simultaneously.
Despite a staggering budget exceeding $40 million, Ezz insisted that financial backing alone does not guarantee a film's longevity.
"Money alone does not make a successful film, but rather the concept, organization, and execution," the actor argued, noting that the production team's main challenge was ensuring the spectacle did not overshadow the story's emotional core.
"The biggest challenge was creating a balance between visual brilliance and characters the audience can connect with and believe," Ezz said. "Adil and Bilall do not treat action as a mere show of force, but as part of the characters' dramatic journey... At times, I felt I was delivering a human drama wrapped in a massive action frame."
In a testament to the region's rapidly growing infrastructure, 7Dogs was filmed entirely in Saudi Arabia at Riyadh’s Al-Hnoud Studios and various locations across the capital.
The production team successfully constructed sprawling, immersive sets replicating diverse international locales—ranging from the bustling streets of Mumbai to other Asian backdrops—all within a centralized hub.
"It was one of the smartest production decisions," Ezz remarked, noting that the controlled environment gave the filmmakers total command over the visual aesthetic while eliminating the logistical hurdles of multi-country travel.
With the film hitting theaters, Ezz expressed hope that strong box office receipts would pave the way for a sequel, teasing that the plot holds "many paths" for future expansion.
Looking ahead, the prolific actor confirmed he is already balancing his next major projects, including the upcoming television series Al-Amir (The Prince) and a new feature film titled L'abet Al-Mawt (The Game of Death).