THE SEARING SUMMER ACTION THRILLER, "REIGN OF FIRE," MAKES ITS NETWORK TELEVISION PREMIERE THURSDAY, JULY 7 ON ABC

Starring Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey, the Film Will Air in HDTV With 5.1-Channel Surround Sound and Spanish Audio

Get ready for some scorching adventure when the blazing thriller, "Reign of Fire," making its Network Television debut in HDTV with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio as the "ABC Thursday Movie of the week," JULY 7 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Dateline England, 20 years from now... The world has become a battleground in a fight for survival from beasts we thought only existed in storybooks. Ferocious, fire-breathing dragons have invaded, slaughtering all humans except for a small band of survivors led by Quinn Abercromby (Christian Bale). Quinn has terrible childhood memories of his own mother being slain by one of the predators, memories that traumatized him profoundly, and yet have become a source of inner strength and the very reason why he now fights to protect the remaining survivors.

Then a group of Americans, led by the audacious Denton Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey), show up and propose a new way of defeating the fire-breathing beasts. But their attempt to team up with Quinn and his people is complicated by conflict between the two leaders, whose views on dragon-slaying methods differ greatly. Can the two come to an understanding and work together, or will they be the next to become extinct...?

Starring in "Reign of Fire" are Christian Bale ("Batman Begins," "American Psycho") as Quinn Abercromby and Matthew McConaughey ("Sahara," "How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days") as Denton Van Zan.

"Reign of Fire" was directed by Rob Bowman (TV Series "The X-Files" and "Elektra"). Writing credits are given to Gregg Chabot and Kevin Peterka for the story. Produced by Barber/Birmbaum, Spyglass Entertainment, The Zanuck Company, Touchstone Pictures, Tripod Entertainment and World 2000 Entertainment. Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures

"REIGN OF FIRE" IN HDTV:
The ABC Television Network's HDTV broadcast of "Reign of Fire" will air in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio.

This program carries a TV-14,V parental guideline. Due to some violent content, viewer discretion is advised.