Markets

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MONKEY MAN: Netflix Scores Dev Patel’s Revenge-Driven Feature Directing Debut For 2022!

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man, will bow on Netflix in 2022 for most of the world excluding select terrories with pre-existing deals, according to Deadline‘s Andreas Wiseman. The report comes following the film’s recent completion in Indonesia, as highlighted in a recent Instagram post by the film’s stunt team. Footage was also screened for buyers at last week’s EFM, wherein one individual described it as “John Wick in Mumbai”, according to Wiseman. The film’s action was spearheaded by stunt coordinator Udeh Nans (Beyond Skyline, The Queen Of Black Magic), with fight choreography by Brahim Chab (The Driver, Abduction). Patel stars in the revenge thriller in which he plays “an unlikely hero who emerges from prison to take on a world enmeshed in corporate greed and eroding spiritual values, and seeking revenge from those who took everything from him years before.” The film also stars Sharlto Copley (District 9), […]

KOWLOON WALLED CITY: Max Zhang Leads Trio For Soi Cheang’s 80s-Set Martial Arts Gangland Manhwa Adaptation

Lee B. Golden III

Soi Cheang will direct Kowloon Walled City, an adaptation of the popular 2010 cult manhwa, “City Of Darkness”, from creators Andy Seto and “Yuyi”. As Screen‘s own Liz Shackleton reports that actors Max Zhang (The Brink), Louis Koo (Paradox) and Richie Jen (Bodies At Rest) will star in the film which is “set in the 1980s inside Hong Kong’s infamous walled city, which was demolished in 1993”; According to 88Bar‘s Jason Li in a 2018 review of the property, the initial story “…chronicles the fall and rise of prominent gangster and martial artist 陳洛軍 (“Lok”) as he goes into hiding in the Kowloon Walled City after a bitter fight with his former boss.” Wilson Yip (Ip Man franchise, Flashpoint SPL, Dragon Tiger Gate) is producing the film next to Media Asia’s John Chong, who was hands-on during last week’s virtual EFM, with Kowloon Walled City as one of multiple titles […]

ONE WAY (2021)

ONE WAY: Highland Scores Multiple World Sales On New Action Crime Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Zone 414 helmer Andrew Baird’s new action thriller, One Way, landed multiple deals on Tuesdsy. Highland Film Group is handling worldwide sales rights on the film which stars Colson Baker, Kevin Bacon and Storm Reid. The latest round of international sales includes deals with Splendid Film (Germany and German-speaking Switzerland), Cinemundo (Portugal), Rialto Distribution (Australia and New Zealand), Blue Swan Entertainment (Italy), MCF (Ex-Yugoslavia), Just Media (Benelux), Monolith Films (Poland), MGN (Russia and Baltics), Eagle Films (Middle East), Moviecloud (Taiwan) and FilmFinity (South Africa). Thomasville Pictures is producing One Way which sees Baker in the role of Freddy, fatally wounded and on the run from his former employer’s cash after a robbery gone awry and managing to slip onto a one-way bus route. Betrayed by his father after a phone call for help and with very few options to survive, Freddy is forced to realize there is only “one way”. […]

GAIN-ING GROUND: A Word With Actor/Producer Daniel Stisen

Lee B. Golden III

Save for his physical action star appeal given the fruition he’s amassed as a professional bodybuilder, Daniel Stisen has every intent to prove his versatility as a well-rounded actor and producer of stories that compel and inspire, as well as entertain. Over the past week, I got acquainted with Stisen who’s own endeavors of late have seen him make the case to potential investors at this year’s virtual EFM, for projects hailing from his eponymous production banner. His latest shortfilm performance, Gain, is also making the rounds on YouTube – a gritty, NSFW dramatic thriller about the introspective perils of bodybuilding, and he’s currently shopping his newest lead role in action thriller, Last Man Down, on which he is finalizing post-production, along with another project with director Sheldon Lettich, which is currently listed on IMDb for those curious. Stisen reached out to us to share a dialogue and help get […]

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THE ROUNDUP: Don Lee Action Crime Sequel To ‘The Outlaws’ Now Filming

Lee B. Golden III

Production is currently underway for The Roundup, a sequel to Kang Yoon-sung’s 2017 action hit, The Outlaws. Lee Sang-young is making his debut at the helm for a returning cast that currently sees Don Lee (The Gangster. The Cop. The Devil., Unstoppable, Along With The Gods 2: The Last 49 Days, upcoming The Eternals), and the new addition of actor Son Suk-ku (Hit-And-Run Squad), with filming expected to wrap this summer. The first film saw Lee at the wheel as Ma Suk-do, a.k.a. “the Beast Cop”, heading a small anti-crime task force and dispensing justice amid warring gangs and the rise of a vicious crime boss in a South Korean Chinatown district in 2004. The Roundup sees Ma, front and center once more on a mission to Southeast Asia to extradite a suspect where a ruthless killer who has been targeting tourists for years emerges. “Buyers have been telling us […]

ONE WAY (2021)

ONE WAY: First Look At Colson Baker And Kevin Bacon As Father And Son In The New Action Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Currently in post-production is One Way, the new action thriller from Andrew Baird (Zone 414) and currently part of the package being presented to buyers at EFM. Highland Film Group is handling worldwide sales for the pic for which they’ve now released a first look photo which you can above, featuring Colson Baker (The Dirt), and Kevin Bacon (Death Sentence). Baird directs from a script by Ben Conway One Way centers on Freddy (Baker), on the run with a bag full of cash after a robbery of his former crime boss goes awry. With a potentially fatal wound, he slips onto a bus with a one way ticket. After a call for help, Freddy’s estranged father (Bacon) betrays him, notifying the crime boss where he is. With his life slipping through his fingers, Freddy is left with very few choices to survive. There is only ONE WAY. One Way also stars […]

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GASOLINE ALLEY: Bruce Willis Reteams With ‘Cosmic Sin’ Director For New Crime Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Edward Drake is set to reunite with Cosmic Sin star, Golden Globe winner Bruce Willis (Red, Red 2, Unbreakable, Glass) for Gasoline Alley, a new crime action-thriller shooting this month across the U.S.. Willis will be joined by Luke Wilson (Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums, MGM’s Legally Blonde, DC’s Stargirl) and Devon Sawa (Hunter Hunter, upcoming Black Friday), with a script by Tom Sierchio (New York City International Film Festival winner The Girl Who Invented Kissing). Sawa will play Jimmy Jayne, a bruised-fisted rockabilly boss-type sucked into a triple murder of three Hollywood starlets drowned in a luxury hotel pool. As the prime suspect for Homicide Detectives Freeman (Willis) and Vargas (Wilson), Jimmy takes up his own rogue investigation, bending the law in ways the police can’t in order to clear his name. With the killer skating through Jimmy’s shadow, he bands together with the two Detectives to dangerously expose […]

SUPERCELL: Alec Baldwin Heads Disaster Action Thriller From Highland, Short Porch At EFM

Lee B. Golden III

Alec Baldwin (The Departed, Mission: Impossible franchise) is attached to star in Supercell, a new disaster action thriller that Herbert James Winterstern (NBC’s “Siberia”) will direct from a script by Winterstern & Anna Elizabeth James (Deadly Illusions). The film will serve as the launchpad for a non-exclusive first look output deal for Highland Film Group with Ryan Winterstern (Most Wanted, Inheritance) and Nathan Klingher (Zone 414, Becky) with their new startup, Short Porch Pictures. Supercell is an epic disaster movie that tells the tale of William, a good-hearted teenager, who always lived in hope of following in his father’s footsteps, the legendary storm chaser Bill Brody, killed by a massive super tornado. His father’s legacy has now been turned into a storm-chasing tourist business, managed by the greedy and reckless Zane Rogers (Alec Baldwin), who is now using William as the main attraction to lead a group of unsuspecting adventurers […]

Robert De Niro and Jack Huston in "Wash Me In The River"

WASH ME IN THE RIVER: Get A Glimpse Of Robert De Niro And Jack Huston In The New Action Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Director Randall Emmett (Midnight in the Switchgrass) is in the news with his new action thriller, Wash Me In The River, currently selling online for the EFM from Highland Film Group. The sales agent is offering a first look photo which you can view above, featuring two-time Academy Award Winner Robert DeNiro (The Irishman, Taxi Driver), and actor Jack Huston (American Hustle, Kill Your Darlings). A recovering opioid addict seeks revenge on the dealers responsible for selling the drugs that resulted in his fiancé’s death. Two cops are hot on his trail. Adam Taylor Barker and Chris Sivertson wrote the pic which just wrapped principal photography in Puerto Rico. Wash Me In The River also stars two-time Academy Award nominee John Malkovich (Deepwater Horizon, Being John Malkovich), and actor/recording artist, Quavo (FX’s “Atlanta,” ABC’s “Black-ish”).

Mel Gibson in "Panama" (2021)

PANAMA: Take Aim At Mel Gibson In A First Look At The New Action Thriller Selling At EFM

Lee B. Golden III

Hitting the virtual sales floor for Highland Film Group at EFM is Panama, from director Mark Neveldine (Crank, Gamer). The first official photo is out which you can above, featuring two-time Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Boss Level), who stars alongside Cole Hauser (Paramount’s Yellowstone) Inspired by true events from 1989 Panama, James Becker (Hauser), a rugged, decorated ex-marine, is sent undercover by his former commander Stark (Gibson) to execute a high-value deal with untrustworthy adversaries. While navigating through the chaos of the local civil war, Becker must fight assassins, court femmes fatales and negotiate with the enemy in order to complete his mission. With Stark always by his side, Becker perseveres against all odds in hopes of making it home alive. Daniel Adams (Roadside Attractions’ The Golden Boys) and William R. Barber wrote the script. Panama is Yale Productions film produced by Jordan Beckerman, Jordan Yale Levine, Michelle Chydzik […]

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THE REFUGE: Renny Harlin To Direct New Horror Thriller Launching EFM Sales For Highland

Lee B. Golden III

Highland Film Group is officially launching film sales at EFM for The Refuge, from director Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger, Die Hard 2, The Legend Of Hercules). Casting efforts are currently underway for the new horror thriller which will commence principal photography in April in Bulgaria. Penned by action sci-fi writer Ben Sztajnkrycer, The Refuge hails from Revelations Entertainment and B2Y Production. Harlin is producing alongside Yariv Lerner (Hellboy, Rambo: Last Blood), Rob Van Norden (Olympus Has Fallen, Rambo: Last Blood), Gary Lucchesi (Underworld franchise, The Lincoln Lawyer), Michael McKay (Brahms: The Boy II), Lori McCreary (Invictus, CBS’ “Madam Secretary”). In this horror-thriller, Sergeant Rick Pedroni comes home to his wife Kate changed and dangerous after suffering an attack by a mysterious force during combat in Afghanistan. Officials say her husband suffered a heavy brain injury, but Kate knows it is more than PTSD. As Rick undergoes unsettling therapy with other traumatized […]

AMERICAN BADGER: Kirk Caouette’s Hitman Thriller Lands Canadian Release From Indiecan

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and stunt multi-hyphenate Kirk Caouette’s new film, American Badger, has been acquired by Indiecan Entertainment for its Canadian release according to Screendaily. News comes following our exclusive trailer and poster reveal upon its sales launch at the virtual American Film Market last November. Caouette, a 25-year stunt industry multi-hyphenate for film and TV, marks his third outing in the director’s chair for which Toronto-based Raven Banner now reps for international sales at this year’s virtual EFM. Featuring action sequences by Stanton Chong, Caouette stars along with Andrea Stefancikova and Michael Kopsa. Meet Badger, because his real name is Dean, and that’s the lamest ever for a hitman. Like all American Badgers, he prefers to be alone, and has hardly spoken a word to anyone except his Handler. But all that is about to change with his latest assignment – make friends with call girl Velvet, extract information about the […]

NIGHTSHOOTERS: Indiecan Nabs Long-Awaited UK Martial Arts Comedy Starring Jean-Paul Ly For North America

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a long time coming for Marc Price’s Nightshooters since its Raindance premiere and subsequent UK release a few years back, but word now brings that North American rights have landed at Canadian outlet, Indiecan for its release. Actor and rising fan favorite Jean-Paul Ly joins a headlining cast that lists Doug Allen, Wendy S. Glenn, Nick Aaron, Rosanna Hoult, Adam McNab and more for the rollicking story of a band of independent filmmakers forced to fight their way out of a condemned tower block one bustling night of filming after witnessing a gangland execution. The film also stars Nicky Evans, Kaitlyn Riordan, Richard Sandling, Mica Proctor and Karanja Yorke, and features signature fight choreography by Ly, best known for delivering the goods on thrillers like Cambodian milestone hit, Jailbreak and The Prey, as well as Ross Peacock’s new shortfilm hit, Acéré, with Law Plancel. Ly’s latest role can […]

ENTER THE DRAGONS: Jason Tobin Boards Action Comedy With Gemma Arterton

Lee B. Golden III

Oscar-nominated director Marjane Satrapi (Radioactive, Persepolis) will helm a UK shoot this summer for martial arts comedy, Enter The Dragons, according to Deadline‘s Tom Grater. The film will star upcoming The King’s Man actress Gemma Arterton. Most notably cast though, is the addition of actor Jason Tobin (pictured above), best known for his series as concupiscent, knife-wielding bad boy and Hop Wei heir-apparent, Young Jun in the hit Cinemax series, Warrior, which aired for two seasons through last year. That series is currently available on Digital and Blu-Ray wherever sold, as well as on HBO Max. Set in the small English town of Coalshaw in 1979, the film follows Gloria Grimshaw (Gemma Arterton). The most she can hope for from life is selling cosmetics and having a baby, but when the close-knit community of women come under threat, Gloria is forced to defend herself – by learning martial arts from […]

FIGHTER: Catch The Trailer For Jéro Yun’s Award-Winning Boxing Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Revving up to showcase for the 71st Berlinale next month, Hitchhiker helmer Jéro Yun’s new movie, Fighter, has already become a festival darling since premiering for Busan last year, and earning both the NETPAC award, as well as the Actress Of The Year. That title went to Lim Seong-mi who etches in a formidable notch as a leading lady this time following credits like Jeong Ka-young’s Cinema With You and Lee Ga-hong’s I Should Have Killed That Bastard. Fighter will soon go on to release in South Korea from March 18, and has a new trailer up to help stir interest. “I don’t have time to waste with fighting!” — “What do you mean, fighting? Jina…boxing is a sport.” After successfully escaping North Korea and spending months in a social inclusion facility, Jina moves into her new apartment in Seoul. However, the path to a self-determined life continues to challenge […]

News Briefs: BLACK ADAM Casts Up; Netflix Takes NEW GODS; Signature Steers Toward THE ICE ROAD; CONSTANTINE Revs Up From Bad Robot; Trailers For THE YIN YANG MASTER And S.A.S.: RED NOTICE

Lee B. Golden III

Jungle Cruise helmer Jaume Collet-Serra is reteaming with actor Dwayne Johnson for New Line/DC adaptation, Black Adam, and have recently cast actor Marwan Kenzari (The Old Guard) for an undisclosed role. Cameras are slated to roll in April in Atlanta, GA with Noah Centino, Aldis Hodge and Quintessa Swindell also starring. (THR) Netflix has acquired streaming rights outside China to Zhao Ji’s New Gods: Nezha Reborn following its local Lunar New Year holiday release. Based on the classic mythological text, “The Romance of the Gods”, the animated hit stars a voice cast that includes Yang Tianxiang, Xuan Xiaoming, Ling Zhenhe, Zhu Ke’er and Li Shimeng. (Deadline) Director Jonathan Hensleigh (The Punisher) is currently filming The Ice Road, a new thriller starring Liam Neeson and Lawrence Fishburne which was just acquired by Signature Entertainment for release in the UK and Ireland. The film is set in the far northern regions of […]

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‘John Wick 3’ Actors Yayan Ruhian And Cecep Rahman Pair Up With ‘Maria’ Director For Mystery Project

Lee B. Golden III

The next and virtual EFM is set to launch on March 1, wherein you can expect tons of news on film development and acquisitions to arise. Nilalang and Maria director Pedring Lopez will especially be on hand for his own projects, including one that will finally see Indonesian action stalwarts Cecep Arif Rahman and Yayan Ruhian of The Raid franchise and John Wick 3 fame, together on set once more. Lopez took to social media on Wednesday to celebrate, although official title and any and all details about the project are currently under wraps until the announcements are made via EFM and trade news reports. “I’ve been working on this project in secret for a while, even during the pandemic.” Lopez tells Film Combat Syndicate. “You know what it is with Cecep and Yayan [laughs], but what they’re planning is brutal and bloody!” Rahman and Ruhian (also in tow for […]

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YAKUZA PRINCESS Acquired By XYZ Films Ahead Of EFM 2021

Lee B. Golden III

Motorrad director Vicente Amorim’s new English-language actioner, Yakuza Princess, will be sold internationally at this year’s virtual European Film Market according to an exclusive at Variety. XYZ Films has acquired worldwide sales rights apart from Latin America on the pic which stars actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, with newcomer, Japanese-American singer and songwriter Masumi in the title role. Based on the graphic novel “Samurai Shiro” by Danilo Beyruth and set in the expansive Japanese community of Sao Paulo in Brazil — the largest Japanese diaspora in the world — “Yakuza Princess” turns on orphan Akemi (Masumi), who turns 21 and finds out she is the heiress to half of the Yakuza (Japanese crime syndicate) empire. The other half, however, wants her dead, and her one hope is an amnesiac gaijin (foreigner, played by Rhys Meyers) who awakes in hospital believing that an ancient sword ties their two fates together. The film also […]

THE KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN Launches Sales At Voltage

Lee B. Golden III

Writer/director David Midell (NightLights) is now poised for movement under international sales agent, Voltage Pictures, for his new film, The Killing Of Kenneth Chamberlain. The film made its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival in 2019, starring Frankie Faison (Do the Right Thing, Silence of the Lambs, Banshee) in the title role, based on the real-life police-involed incident that took place on November 19, 2011 in White Plains, New York. The film’s acquisition was announced by Vertical President and COO Jonathan Decker, in partnership with Revelation Entertainment. Midell is producing along with Enrico Natale of Redbird Entertainment, with Revelation’s Morgan Freeman, Lori McCreary and Gary Lucchesi, next to Sharad Chib, Chris Paladino, and Milan Chakraborty. Voltage will begin talks on the hot title, with buyers immediately. The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain tells the true story of the final hours of the life of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an elderly African […]

News Briefs: Nesson’s EL DESCONOCIDO Remake; PANAMA Adds Two; Sanada Boards BULLET TRAIN; Universal Sets VAN HELSING Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

This month, efforts toward Liam Neeson actioner, Retribution have taken years to formulate but the project has officially attached Predators helmer Nimrod Antal to direct. A remake of Dani de la Torre’s El Desconocido (2015), Retribution centers on a bank executive forced to complete a series of tasks whilst trapped in his car with his children, lest the captor holding them hostage via phone detonates the bomb in his car. Jaume Collet-Serra and Juan Sola at Ombra Films and Andrew Rona and Alex Heinemann at The Picture Company are producing the pic which rolls cameras from next March through June. Studiocanal reportedly sold the film in a raft of territories worldwide following AFM. Actor Cole Hauser is starring alongside Mel Gibson and Kate Katzman for action thriller, Panama, which will shoot in Puerto Rico. The Mark Neveldine-directed pic has added Charlie Weber and Victor Turpin to star from a script […]