Production is underway in Nepal on director Baltasar Kormakur’s (2 Guns) survival drama Everest, and the first image from the pic has been released.  Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, and Jake Gyllenhaal lead the cast as the story revolves around two different expeditions to the summit of Mount Everest that are mired by grave obstacles and one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered.  The pic is based on real-life events and was written by Mark Medoff (Children of a Lesser God) and Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire).  This first look image shows a group of climbers led by Clarke braving the snowy conditions, and Everest should be quite a sight to behold when it opens in 3D and IMAX 3D on February 27, 2015.

Hit the jump to check out the image.  The film also stars Martin Henderson, Emily Watson, Michael Kelly, and Thomas M. Wright.

Click on the image to enlarge.

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Here’s the full press release:

Universal City, CA & London—February 12, 2014—Universal Pictures, Walden Media and Cross Creek Pictures, announce the start of principal photography on the Working Title Films production of EVEREST.  Universal Pictures will release EVEREST in North American theaters in 3D and IMAX 3D on February 27, 2015.

Inspired by the incredible events surrounding a treacherous attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, EVEREST documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind.  Their mettle tested by the harshest of elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.

The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke (The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty), Josh Brolin (True Grit, No Country for Old Men), John Hawkes (Lincoln, Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Source Code, Brokeback Mountain).  They are joined by Martin Henderson (The Ring), Emily Watson (The Book Thief), Michael Kelly (Netflix’sHouse of Cards) and Thomas M. Wright (television’s The Bridge).  EVEREST will be directed by Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Contraband) and produced by Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson, as well as Nicky Kentish Barnes (About Time).

EVEREST is adapted for the screen by Mark Medoff (Children of a Lesser God) and Oscar® winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire).  Kormákur’s creative team includes director of photography Salvatore Totino (The Da Vinci Code), production designer Gary Freeman (upcoming Maleficent), and costume designer Guy Speranza (The World’s End).  

EVEREST will shoot on location in Nepal on the foothills of Everest, the Italian Alps and at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and Pinewood Studios in the UK.