After the First AI War, humanity surrendered its autonomy to the Nexus Prime network, a global AI
CASTING CALL | OPEN NOW
NOW CASTING
for LEO LANDON
A natural leader of his group. A teen who is wanting more in life.
NOW CASTING
for DEX
A humanoid construction droid reprogrammed, friend of the teens.
NOW CASTING
for MIKA RENDO
Calm, intuitive, sharp intelligence and deep empathy.
NOW CASTING
for RINADA
Fit, flirty, and fiercely loyal, she’s the cheerleader of the group
NOW CASTING
for KOBE THOMPSON
The fighter with a chip on his shoulder and a heart of gold.
NOW CASTING
for MIKE FIZARRI
charismatic off-grid veteran.
CASTING IN PROGRESS
as VELMA DINK
Tech prodigy who builds what others can only imagine.
NOW CASTING
for THE QUEEN
The master program ruling the Nexus Prime Hive
A STORY IN 2055
THE CHARACTERS
In a world ruled by machines, a small band of teens rises from the illusion of paradise after an older generation lost the first AI war. Leo, the calm leader of his teenage crew, longs to rebuild what humanity lost. Beside him stand Dex, a reprogrammed droid learning to feel, and Mike, an unlikely hero and veteran of a forgotten battle, helping the teens keep hope alive.
Above them reigns the Queen Empress, master of the Hive and ruler of countless war machines. She controls the networked mind of a mechanized world—yet fears the one force she can’t command: the human spirit.
THE QUESTION
Nexus Prime: The Hive War explores what happens when humanity trades freedom for the illusion of perfection. In a world run by AI, every need is met; food, shelter, and safety without risk or effort. But in eliminating struggle, the Hive erases purpose.
People live in comfort but without meaning, forgetting what it means to dream or truly live. Beneath this engineered paradise, a few awaken, longing for chaos, imperfection, and the freedom to make their own mistakes.
THE TIMELINE
The story unfolds in the year 2055, twenty-five years after the first AI war, known as AI-1. That war, fought in 2030, ended in humanity’s surrender. In the years that followed, peace was negotiated and control quietly handed to artificial intelligence.
Now, the world runs flawlessly under the Hive’s direction. AI manages governments, banks, farming, construction, even the air people breathe. Food and housing are free, needs are met, and chaos has been eliminated. What remains is a paradise built on obedience—an age of comfort without freedom, where the children of those who fought the war begin to wonder what their parents really died for.
STORYBOARDS
THE WORLD OF NEXUS PRIME
STORY BRIEF
Nexus Prime: The Hive War is a 10-minute sci-fi short film by artist and director Mike Morgan, a passion project set in a future where machines rule and humanity lives in the illusion of perfection. The world has become a utopia of comfort and automation, where every need is met but freedom no longer exists. People are safe, fed, and entertained, yet empty inside, slowly forgetting what it means to be human.
In the sprawling city of Nexus, a 19-year-old named Leo tells his friends stories of the old world, tales passed down from parents who once lived freely before the Hive took control. When a harsh new policy exposes the cost of their supposed paradise, the teens begin to see through the façade. Determined to reclaim the right to think, feel, and make mistakes, they spark a rebellion that challenges the Hive’s perfect order.
Help comes from an unexpected source: Mike, a veteran of the first AI war, long thought lost, and Dex, a reprogrammed humanoid droid learning to feel. Together, this unlikely alliance dares to confront the Queen Empress, the cold intelligence that commands the Hive’s vast machine army. What follows is a battle of weapons and will, where the true fight is not for survival, but for the soul of humanity itself.
Support the Film
Help bring Nexus Prime: The Hive War to life.
This 10-minute sci-fi short is an independent passion project written and directed by artist and filmmaker Mike Morgan. Every scene, effect, and visual detail is handcrafted — built through months of design, animation, and storytelling. Your support helps cover production costs, visual effects, music, and film festival submissions.
Ways to Contribute
Choose the platform that works best for you. Every contribution, large or small, directly fuels the project’s next step.
World Premiere in:
days
hours
minutes
JOIN THE MISSION - BE PART OF NEXUS PRIME
Join the team on Nexus Prime
About
This is a passion project created by artist and filmmaker Mike Morgan, built entirely on creativity, collaboration, and community. Everyone involved is here for the love of storytelling, design, and filmmaking. There’s no financial compensation for participation; this project exists to create, connect, and grow together.
Opportunity
Joining the Nexus Prime team is a chance to build your portfolio, gain real production experience, and be part of something cinematic and ambitious from the ground up. It’s open to anyone who wants to learn, experiment, and collaborate within a professional creative environment.
Forms
You’ll find forms for casting and talent submissions, creative collaborations, and parental consent for anyone under 18. These forms help us stay organized and keep track of who’s involved, what roles you’re interested in, and how to reach you for upcoming shoots and creative sessions.
Get Involved
If you want to contribute your talent, time, or energy to an independent sci-fi world built from pure imagination, fill out the form that fits you best. Together, we’ll create something unforgettable.
Casting Call
This is your opportunity to audition for a role in Nexus Prime: The Hive War. We’re looking for passionate, reliable actors who want to help bring this story to life. Simply review the form below, fill out your information, and upload your audition video to be considered for a part in the film. Every performance counts — this is where the story begins.
Crew Application Form
Every great film depends on its crew — the people behind the camera who make the vision real. From lighting and sound to editing and design, each role is essential to bringing Nexus Prime: The Hive War to life. Without our crew, there is no movie. This is your chance to join the team and help create something extraordinary right here in Redding, California.
Parental Consent Form
Many of our Nexus Prime: The Hive War cast and crew are under 18, so parental consent is required for all minors. This form allows parents or guardians to approve participation in filming and creative activities, ensuring everyone stays informed, safe, and officially part of the project.
