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TRIGGER: Raven Banner Loads Up Richard Somes’ New Philippines Action Thriller

We Will Not Die Tonight helmer Richard Somes’ latest, Trigger, has found a new home for international sales representation with Raven Banner Entertainment as of this week. The company released a first look which you can view above, featuring actor Arjo Atayde as an ex-soldier-turned-security guard whose PTSD becomes the ultimate modifier when he’s forced to protect a woman on the lam from a corrupt police death squad. Trigger hails from Fusee’s Wilfredo C. Manalang who is producing with Somes via Strawdogs Studio Production, Nathan Studios’ Ria Atayde and Sylvia Sanchez, and Theo & Atlas Production Inc.’s Michaelangelo Masangkay and Fernando Henna. Also starring are Julia Montes, Sid Lucero and Kokoy De Santos. “We’re excited to bring a new kind of action film from the Philippines. There were a lot of action movies in the early part of our film history, but the country has shied away from them for […]

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Jean-Claude Van Damme On WHAT’S MY NAME?, Says The Film ‘May Happen, May Not Happen’

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme nailed two film deals this week, one of which includes Darkness Of Man from Hot Seat and fortress helmer James Cullen. The two spoke to THR this week in an interview wherein author Alex Ritman asked about the status of Jeremy Zag’s What’s My Name?, the film which was set to be the 62-year-old action star’s final bow as of its announcement back in February out of EFM. “I want to make one more big martial arts film. But I guess it’s not the time right now. Before I believed in destiny, but now I believe in synchronicity. So if something doesn’t go my way, then it’s not supposed to go my way. So What’s My Name? may happen, may not happen. And I have another project that’s as good. But that’s for later. Right now, I’m so into Darkness of Man, which was always working in parallel” said […]

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THE ISLAND: Michael Jai White Takes The Fight Home In A First Look At The New Action Crime Thriller

Published November 2, 2022: MSR Media International is launching sales on The Island, with a first look still photo from the new action thriller above and now making the rounds. Shaun Paul Piccinino (Lionsgate’s American Fighter, Netflix’s That’s Amor and A California Christmas: City Lights) is directing the film based on an original story by Philippe Martinez, and scripted by Martinez and Michael Caissie. Starring Michael Jai White and Jackson Rathbone, The Island recounts the story of an LAPD officer who takes down drug traffickers with his wise-cracking partner until his brother dies under mysterious circumstances. He returns to his island home to seek answers, and ultimately vengeance, in a bloody battle with the corrupt tycoon who has taken over the island paradise. The film also stars Gillian White and Edoardo Costa. Producing are MSR Media’s Philippe Martinez and Highfield Grange Studios’ Alan Latham. MSR Media first announced the film […]

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ŚAKRA: Donnie Yen Is Unstoppable In Sales Art For The New Wuxia Epic

Action star Donnie Yen is back in the spotlight with Śakra, his sixth and latest directorial effort in nearly twenty years since the Barbara Wong co-helmer, Protégé de la Rose Noire. Currently in production, Yen’s return to Wuxia is based on Louis Cha’s 1960s novel, “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils”, which underwent several film and television adaptations dating back to the 70s. The new film marks the book’s fourth adaptation for the screen, joining him with mega-producer Wong Jing, who previous collaborated with the star on titles like Big Brother, Enter The Fat Dragon, Chasing The Dragon, and New Kung Fu Cult Master. Set in the Song Dynasty, Śakra sees Yen in the role of Qiao Feng “a tragic hero accused of killing his adoptive parents”. Feng is actually one of three protagonists in the original novel, so in terms of the general plot, this is all we have to work with […]

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Liam Hemsworth Treks The LAND OF BAD In A First Look Photo From The New Action Adventure

Principal photography is already underway for Underwater and The Signal helmer Will Eubank’s Land Of Bad, with cameras currently rolling in Australia’s Gold Coast and South-East Queensland. Production on the new action thriller began in September with Eubank directing from a script he co-wrote with David Frigerio. Highland Film Group is repping international sales on the film which is now presenting a first look photo viewable above featuring actors Liam Hemsworth and Luke Hemsworth. The film sees the former Hemsworth in the role of Kinney, a green Air Force JTAC pilot who must work together with drone pilot Reaper (Russell Crowe), when a Delta Force mission in the South Philippines goes awry, ensuing an extraction effort that escalates into a full-scale battle. The film also stars Milo Ventimiglia, Ricky Whittle, Daniel MacPherson and Chika Ikogwe. Highland has locked distribution deals in key territories including Australia and New Zealand (Rialto Distribution), […]

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BLOOD FOR DUST: Action Pic Sells To Multiple Territories Ahead Of November Shoot

Distribution deals in key international territories in all media have been locked for the new action thriller, Blood For Dust, as production revs up ahead of mid-November in Montana. Areas include 101 Films Distribution for the UK, Originals Factory for France, California Filmes for Latin America, Splendid Film GmbH for Germany, Daro Film Distribution for Eastern Europe, Filmfinity for South Africa, Spentzos Film for Greece, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy and Eagle Films for the Middle East. Highland Film Group is representing international rights and UTA is co-representing domestic sales on the action pic which stars Scoot McNairy (Warner Bros.’s Argo, 20th Century Fox’s Gone Girl, Universal’s A Quiet Place Part II), Kit Harington (HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Eternals) and Josh Lucas (20th Century Fox’s Ford v. Ferrari and Buena Vista’s Sweet Home Alabama). Rod Blackhurst (Netflix’s Amanda Knox, Peacock’s “John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise”) is directing from a […]

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RUTHLESS: Dermot Mulroney Tapped To Headline Revenge Thriller From Art Camacho

Premiere Entertainment Group is launching sales at the American Film Market next month for Ruthless, a new revenge thriller from action veteran Art Camacho (Sci-Fighter, Wild League). Dermot Mulroney (RLJE Films’ Section 8, Amazon Prime series “Hanna”) is set to star from a script by Camacho and co-scribe James Dean Simington, with additional casting being finalized as cameras are set to roll next week Monday in Nevada. Mulroney will star as a high school coach “traumatized by the death of his daughter, who takes matters into his own hands by going after the men who kidnap one of his students for a sex trafficking operation.” Elias Axume is producing for Premiere with Al Bravo of Al Bravo Films. Premiere’s Carlos Rincon is exec producing next to Bryan Foster. Read more at Deadline.

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MSR Media Announces Production Slate Including THE ISLAND, BLACK NOISE And More

MSR Media Producer Philippe Martinez announced today four new films in the company’s film production line-up on Monday, firstly with The Island, directed by Shaun Paul Piccinino (The Lackey, American Fighter), and is currently in post-production. Based on an original story by Philippe Martinez, and scripted by Martinez and Michael Caissie (The Hangman starring Al Pacino), The Island recounts the story of an LAPD officer (Michael Jai White) who takes down drug traffickers with his wisecracking partner Phil (Jackson Rathbone) until his brother dies under mysterious circumstances. He returns to his island home, to seek answers and ultimately vengeance, in a bloody battle with the corrupt tycoon who has taken over the island paradise.   The film also stars Gillian White (Take Back) and Edoardo Costa (Live Free and Die Hard). Martinez and Highfield Grange Studios’ Alan Latham produced the pic. Exec producers are Karinne Behr and Lee Beasley from MSR […]

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BRAVE CITIZEN: Get A Kick Out Of The New South Korean Webtoon Adaption Coming In 2023

Variety’s Patrick Frater has a look at Brave Citizen, the latest film from director Park Jin-pyo (Voice Of A Murderer, You Are My Sunshine). Finecut is launching worldwide sales on the sidelines of this year’s film festivities at Busan, with OTT streaming service Content Wavve presenting the film ahead of its 2023 theatrical release. Starring Shin Hye-sun (Collectors) and Lee Jun-young (Love And Leashes), Brave Citizen centers on a former prospective boxer who has since set her sights on being a tenured high school teacher, ignoring troubling situations as often as possible. The logline continues as follows according to Frater: “Having witnessed intolerable violence, she dons a mask and throws her first punch for justice.” Brave Citizen is based on Kim Jung-hyun’s 2014 webtoon publication via Comico and Naver and adapted for the screen by Yeo Ji-na and Hyun Chung-yeol. The film is produced by StudioN with music by Dalpalan […]

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SHIN ULTRAMAN: Sales Banner The Exchange Acquires Shinji Higuchi’s Hit Tokusatsu Revival

2022 has been a crucial year for moviegoers outside of the Far East and looking forward to catching Shinji Higuchi’s recent blockbuster hit Shin Ultraman, following its Japan release back in May. As of Monday, pat yourselves on the back for keeping up with the latest on the film’s movement with word via Leo Barraclough’s Variety exclusive that The Exchange has acquired sales rights for multiple territories on the pic and will sell to buyers this month at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival. Among the areas are North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, to name a few. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Toho and Khara, Shin Ultraman is the latest anniversarial revamp of the iconic Tsuburaya IP, 55 years since its creation now with Higuchi partnering once again with Hideaki Anno, who also penned the pic and served as one of the producers; The two previously collaborated […]

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SHIN ULTRAMAN, THE KILLER, FULL STRIKE And More New And Classic Titles Heading Up The In-Person 2022 Edition Of The New York Asian Film Festival

The 20th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival is in full swing next month as a fully in-person event launching this July, after going virtual in 2020 and taking a hybrid route last year. The first wave of the festival’s full line-up is also now online with over 60 new and classic titles, including some exciting features that have arrived this year as well. “We’re thrilled to be back fully in person after two years, the best and only way to really have a festival, in my view,” said Samuel Jamier, Executive Director of NYAFF and President of the New York Asian Film Foundation. “We’ve been really impressed with the quality and diversity of films made during the trying times of the pandemic, and we’re especially excited that we can once again welcome guests from all over Asia to the stage at FLC, giving them the spotlight they […]

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News Briefs: FAST X Adds Another, News On Eckhart’s THE BRICKLAYER And AMBUSH, OUR MAN FROM JERSEY Casts Up, UK Thriller LETTER GIRLS

• Rita Moreno is the latest to join Fast X, adding to the “Family”-themed spy saga of Fast And Furious films starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and new additions Alex Ritchson, Brie Larson and Jason Momoa. Louis Leterrier is directing for Universal. (The Wrap) • Renny Harlin’s The Bricklayer is going to Screen Media, featuring Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev, Clifton Collins Jr. Tim Blake Nelson and Ilfenesh Hadera. The film centers on an ex-CIA operative forced to confront his checkered past amidst a growing international conspiracy that puts the U.S. in crosshairs. (Deadline) • In back-to-back reporting, Eckhart’s latest thriller out of Highland Film Group, Ambush, has landed multiple deals for release including in the UK. Also starring are Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Conor Paolo for the story of a military captain who must lead his commando unit through heavy enemy fire following a surprise attack while on a mission […]

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BANDIT: Crime Thriller Starring Josh Duhamel Sells Multiple Territories Out Of Cannes

Gridlocked helmer Allan Ungar’s newest crime thriller, Bandit, has locked multiple distribution deals out of Cannes. Highland Film Group is repping international sales for the film which stars Josh Duhamel, Mel Gibson, Elisha Cuthbert and Nestor Carbonell, and is in post-production. Inspired by the true story of ‘The Flying Bandit’ who successfully got away with 59 bank and jewelry heists, career criminal Robert Whiteman (Duhamel) escapes from a US prison and crosses the border into Canada where he assumes a new identity. After falling in love with Andrea (Cuthbert), he turns to robbing banks and discovers that he’s exceptionally good at it, flipping through different disguises at every heist across the country. Robert is addicted to the rush and money that fuels his double life, but turns to lifetime gangster Tommy (Gibson) for a bigger investment. Tommy convinces Robert there is more money in jewelry heists and drags him into […]

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News Briefs: LAW ABIDING CITIZEN Sequel, Saban Nabs AMERICAN METAL, SISTER DARKNESS For Proyas; KID SNOW Gets In The Ring

• Rivulet Films and Village Roadshow Pictures are pairing up for a sequel to F. Gary Gray’s 2009 thriller, Law Abiding Citizen. The original starred Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx in the story of a prosecutor in a battle of wits when a frustrated father commits a grisly act of vengeance for the murder of his wife and daughter ten years earlier. Plot details are under wraps but Kurt Wimmer is back to pen the sequel along with Butler who will produce with his partners via G-Base. (Deadline) • Nicholas Maggio’s feature debut now has a home at Saban Films with American Metal. The film stars John Travolta and Stephen Dorff and “tells the story of a desperate and struggling family man who robs a pill mill. However, when the theft turns violent, he finds himself hunted by both the police and the Dixieland mafia.” Shiloh Fernandez, Ashley Benson and […]

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THE DEAL Trailer: Take It, Or Deal With The Consequences In The New Sci-Fi Thriller Coming To Roku

Hungarian filmmaker Orsi Nagypál’s second feature film delivers a new sci-fi thriller with The Deal. Roku has since acquired AVOD and FAST rights to the film in the U.K., the U.S., Canada and Latin America. In a dystopian world, overpopulation and global warming have put an impossible strain on world resources. To combat the global crisis, the totalitarian governing body known as The Bureau establishes The Deal. Accept The Deal by your 20th birthday, and you’ll receive a job, housing, and medical care that will keep you safe and healthy for twenty more years, after which point you’re required to voluntarily take your own life. Once you take The Deal, there’s no turning back. The Bureau makes sure of this. The Deal stars Sumalee Montano (“Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol,” “Ghost of Tsushima”), Emma Fischer (“Counterpart”), Alastair Mackenzie (“The Crown”), Taz Skylar (“The Kill Team”), Lisa Brenner (“The Patriot,” “Say […]

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BLOOD FOR DUST Casts Trio For New Action Thriller, Highland Launching Sales

Scoot McNairy (Argo, Gone Girl, A Quiet Place Part II), Kit Harington (HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Eternals), and Josh Lucas (Ford v. Ferrari, The Forever Purge, “Yellowstone”) are set to star in the action thriller feature film Blood For Dust. Rod Blackhurst (Netflix’s Amanda Knox, Peacock’s “John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise”) will direct the shoot this September from a story by himself and David Ebeltoft (Here Alone) which they both scripted. Former friends Cliff (McNairy), a traveling salesman struggling to make a living, and Ricky (Harington), an illegal weapons dealer making serious money, reconnect one fateful day.  Hoping to make some quick cash, Cliff agrees to partner with the violent Ricky, who is expanding his business to include cross-state drug and gun deliveries for John, a mid-level American cartel boss (Lucas). Reluctantly he agrees to retrofit his beat-up station wagon to carry dozens of kilos of drugs. When Ricky […]

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News Briefs: French Superheroes Inbound; RENEGADES Sells; Kolstad’s ACOLYTE In The Works; Greengrass’s THE HOOD; Indian Boxing Drama IN THE RING

• Elevate Artist Management’s Paris-based talent agent Florent Lamy is announced a new studio effort to kickoff an ambitious Marvel-style operation to adapt long forgotten French comic book superheroes, including ’L’Archer Blanc’ (The White Archer), and Jean-Yves Mitton’s Mirkos saga and spin-offs therein, to name a few. The adaptations will be for televsion and film in French and English. (Screendaily) • Daniel Zirilli’s new Shogun Films revenge thriller, Renegades, has landed multiple territories through sales agent Bleiberg/Dimbort with Saban picking up for North America. The film stars Nick Moran, Lee Majors and Danny Trejo and “follows a band of former Special Forces comrades who seek to avenge the death of their Green Beret friend after he is murdered by a London drug gang that has been threatening his daughter.” Shogun’s Jonathan Sothcott has also announced a sequel with Zirilli also developing Crossfire. (Screendaily) • Rivulet Films has acquired Acolyte, a […]

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THE GOOD PEOPLE: Aquarius Films And Port Pictures To Adapt Hannah Kent’s Historical Thriller Novel

Australia’s Aquarius Films and Irish production company Port Pictures will jointly produce The Good People, based on the award-winning novel by Hannah Kent (the upcoming Run Rabbit Run), who adapted it for the screen. “Terrifying, thrilling and moving in equal measure, The Good People is a startling examination of absolute belief and superstition. As it explores a series of actions that are both tender and harsh, it examines our need for belonging, understanding and acceptance, and the universal need to love and be loved.” reads the announcement. The Good People is set in 19th century Ireland, as the Catholic church wages war against pagan beliefs, three women conspire to free a young boy from evil spirits. Aquarius’s Angie Fielder (Lion) and Polly Staniford (Berlin Syndrome) will produce with Martina Niland (Once, Sing Street) of Port Pictures. Aquarius Films’ Miranda Culley is exec producing the movie with development funding from Screen Australia. “What’s not […]

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US OR THEM First Look: Malin Åkerman Sets The Table For The New Action Thriller From MSR Media

MSR Media’s Philippe Martinez has announced Black Ops, Assailant, 400 Bullets and G-Loc helmer Tom Paton’s Us or Them, a new action thriller which wrapped production in the islands of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. While enjoying a luxury holiday won on a mobile game app, childhood best friends Jude (Jack Donnelly) and Andy (Wayne Gordon) agree to play another game despite the foreboding caveat that once the game begins, they must play to the end. Enticed by the $20 Million grand prize by a mysterious woman called The Officiator (Malin Åkerman), the duo signs up for a deadly round of “Us or Them,” where matching with your partner is critical and mutual trust is profoundly tested. As the game progresses, the penalties for disagreement escalate along with the prize money. The pair soon realize that failure to agree will have dire consequences not just for them, but […]

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THE SMOKE MASTER: Raven Banner Debuts Official Trailer For New Brazilian Stoner Martial Arts Comedy

The journey has been long and hard fought for directing duo Augusto Soares and Andre Sigwalt for Brazilian kung fu stoner comedy, The Smoke Master, which had its closing night premiere for the 18th edition of Fantaspoa earlier this month. The film is now making the Cannes sales rounds under Raven Banner Entertainment and has new trailer and poster assets to do the grunt work. The journey of Gabriel and Daniel, two brothers cursed by the Chinese mafia with its feared Three Generations Revenge, who has already reaped the life of their grandfather and their father. To survive, one of the brothers must learn the Smoke Style secrets, a little-known controversial martial art, based on cannabis usage and taught by a single master, high in the mountains of the far reaches of China. A Stoned Kung-Fu movie. The film stars Daniel Rocha, Tony Lee, Thiago Stechinni, Ravel Andrade and Yasmin […]

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