First Looks

THE HUNT: SAVAGE WITHIN Squads Up In New Stills From The Upcoming Sci-Fi Thriller [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Film Combat Syndicate can share a duo of exclusive images to accompany the latest post update from the official Instagram account for The Hunt: Savage Within. Principal photography on the upcoming proof-of-concept wrapped in January from director Fabien Garcia, who began campaigning the project last year. The Hunt: Savage Within marks the latest effort for Garcia and his team at Z Team Films, having amassed numerous short collaborations along with the action-packed splendor of 2014 martial arts fight thriller, Die Fighting. In The Hunt: Savage Within, American-born Filipina actress plays Sarah, a meek forest ranger who finds herself at the center of an epic battle between elite spec-ops soldiers, and a supreme alien killer known only as “The Trickster”. Also starring are Brett Tutor (Monsters Of Men), Lou Wegner (Last Call In The Dog House), Carla Seneca (Sons Of Thunder), Xango Henry (Call Me King), Davis Chong (Die Fighting) and […]

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 […]

FEELING ‘THE STING’: Christopher Sheffield Talks His Newest Shortfilm Thriller, ‘Welcome To The Sting’

Lee B. Golden III

One year since the Coronavirus pandemic laid its grip on the world, most countries have slowly but surely begun making progress. Vaccines are finally circulating while certain areas of the world continue to mitigate daily life with safety measures in place, and that inevitably includes film and television production, one of the most hardest hit industries in the globe as the field naturally calls for numbers of people to be in one place at once. Invariably, independent productions are no different when it comes to enforcing guidelines, putting new habits into practice with social distancing, smaller numbers, mask wearing, etc. Independent, low budget, short-duration projects certainly provide some ease in this regard, particularly with filmmaker and exec producer Christopher Sheffield and the team he’s taken to task with his latest investment Welcome To The Sting, starring James M. Black and actor and industry stunt professional Billy R. Smith. Filming took […]

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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Netflix Wants To Take You To A “Tricky World” With JAGAME THANDHIRAM

Streaming services have gone “all in” on films from India. Scroll through Amazon Prime and Netflix’s international offerings and you’ll see an overwhelming amount of films from the different regions of that country. Which has proven to be a successful strategy for the two companies. It has even led to them being the exclusive homes for several recent Indian blockbuster films. The latest of which has just been announced by Netflix, the action-comedy JAGAME THANDHIRAM (which translates to “TRICKY WORLD”). Here is the teaser trailer Netflix included with the announcement of their exclusive rights to the film, which will see them make the Tamil language production available in over 190 countries to 200+ million subscribers.(*NOTE: turn on closed captioning for English subtitles) The exact plot of the film is unknown but the talent behind this film is more than enough reason to keep it on your radar. It is written […]

SURVIVORS: Ride Or Die With A First Look At K&K Productions’ Martial Arts Vs. Zombies Proof-Of-Concept [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaking duo George and Harry Kirby have spent more than a decade building their brand as filmmakers and worthwhile content creators through their K&K Productions label. Since then, they’ve garnered a sizeable audience with their projects over the years, many of which are catered to fan favorite IPs such as Dragon Ball Z, League Of Legends, DC Comics, Marvel and more. It was earlier on back in 2013, however, their shortfilm output progressed a little further, making their bid in the horror arena with talented martial arts and stunt stylings of David Cheung (Green Street 3, Black Widow) and Isky Fay (Snatch, Pennyworth) as heroes battling it out in the cold against a swarm of the undead. “At the time, we became very much into the zombie genre and we wanted to bring our love for action to that genre,” says Harry Kirby, who tells us that he and George […]

KUNG FU GHOST: Lazy Daisy Gets Her Kicks In A First Clip From The New Independent Martial Arts Comedy

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaker Jennifer Linch is getting things off the ground this week with an extended clip of her feature debut, Kung Fu Ghost. The new kung fu comedy, which is currently seeking a summer release, signals the launchpad of Linch’s independent Nameless Studios film banner in which she’s already corralled a roster of accolades and screenings of her shortfilms in the last several years. Daisy inherits a spooky old estate from her late grandfather, a martial arts master whom she never met. When she shows up on the property, she soon discovers the house is haunted by her grandfather’s spirit and the ghost of a mysterious man named William. When treasure-hunting criminals descend on Daisy’s new home, she is forced to call on her new supernatural friends to fend them off. The clip above, which premiered on Tuesday via Linch’s Nameless Studios website, teases Linch in the starring role of […]

THE CONSPIRACY - First Look

THE CONSPIRACY: First Look At Indie Action Thriller Starring François Mequer And Max Repossi

Lee B. Golden III

Actor/filmmaker François Mequer revealed a first look at his new upcoming independent action thriller, The Conspiracy, which you can check out by tapping the gallery above. Shot on location in Romania last Spring, the pic stars Mequer and actor/martial artist Max Repossi in the respective roles of Noa and Leon, a pair of search-and-rescue contract experts on the mend after a failed operation resulting in the death of a target as well as a friend on the force. When a Senator’s daughter is found to be taken captive by an unknown group, the pair are assigned to rescue her, and in doing so, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to take over the city. The film also stars Rares Lucaci, Louis Mandylor, Victor Chen and Diana Sar, with Andra Lulia Stoicescu, Mihai Capatina and Andrei Vasilescu. We did report at the time that filmmaker Andrei Lupu was tapped to make […]

UNCHARTED: Sony Reveals Tom Holland As Nathan Drake

Lee B. Golden III

Slated for a July 16, 2021 release from Sony, director Ruben Fleischer is currently at the helm for Uncharted, based on the hit game franchise from Naughty Dog, and both the studio, and actor Tom Holland, took to their platforms to reveal a first look at the lead character. The Wrap reported more details as follows: The movie is a prequel to the events of the games, which feature Drake as an ancestor to Sir Francis Drake as he explores lost cities, hunts historical treasure and maybe encounters not just an army of bad guys looking to make a power grab but maybe some supernatural forces along the way. The games have become known for their cinematic style and quick-witted dialogue, much of it courtesy of the smarmy Nathan Drake. The film also co-stars Mark Wahlberg, along with Antonio Banderas, Tati Gabrielle and Sophia Ali. Check out the photo below […]

SHOWDOWN IN YESTERYEAR Lends A First Look At Vernon Wells In The New Time Travel Western

Lee B. Golden III

AB Productions is releasing its first look at actor Vernon Wells (The Road Warrior, Commando) in the upcoming time travel western, Showdown In Yesteryear. Post-production is underway with principal photography wrapped officially as of Wednesday evening – per the announcement – with Wells joined by actress Debra Lamb, and starring actor Jeff Grennell, with O’Hearn also making an appearance. Showdown in Yesteryear follows Grennell as contemporary sad sack Daryl Dumwoody, who discovers a mysterious door in the woods which transports him to a frontier town in the 1800’s. There, Dumwoody contends with oppressive town boss Orson Kane (Wells), a fiercely independent widow (Lamb), and a gang of ruthless outlaws while attempting to find a way back to his own time. Filmed at the wild west attraction Dogwood Pass in Ohio, Showdown In Yesteryear is directed by Timothy O’Hearn and cinematographer Aaron Bratcher. Gregory Lamberson (Widow’s Point) penned the script based […]

EXILED: THE CHOSEN ONES Reveals A Behind-The-Scenes Glimpse Of Pre-Production On The Covid-Safe Survival Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Tune in to director Ranjeet S. Marwa’s Instagram for the next several days and you’ll likely spot him on the Birmingham set for his new independent survival actioner, now titled Exiled: The Chosen Ones. The filmmaker is currently teasing several photos from the set, three in which are enclosed in a collage he’s sent to our inbox which you can tap to view above, with Marwa joined by lead actor Sunny Pang (The Night Comes For Us) and co-star/stunt performer Nick Khan (Tribal: Get Out Alive) who also serves as fight choreographer. Pang stars from a script by Marwa, playing Hiro, a cold and calculating Yakuza hitman forced to compete for his life among a row of society’s worst criminals, in a deadly game devised by a corporate cabal overseeing a nefarious population control scheme, while the rich place their bets. Other cast members will be officially announced in the […]

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SEEING ‘RED’: A Word With Actor And Filmmaker Beau Fowler

Lee B. Golden III

This month we were able to discuss the latest reveal for Red, a new concept from actor Beau Fowler and director David Newton. For this, the Coronavirus pandemic that’s currently gripped the world and put the film industry at large at a standstill is just one of the segues Fowler and I observe in our latest Q&A. Click here for the earlier coverage on Red, and enjoy the read below! Beau, it’s great to get in touch with you now about your work. How are you coping with things since the lockdown in your country? I can especially imagine it’s had an impact on the film industry next to just normal everyday life. Yeah, it’s pretty crazy. Tough not being able to go out and do the simple things. Though to be honest I’m still self-taping for projects, and I’m quite used to spending days in development wondering when my […]

RED - Still

RED: ‘Express Delivery’ And ‘The Take Down’ Creators Team Up For Action Thriller Proof Of Concept

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Beau Fowler is still in the mix these days, just completed his newest short film proof of concept, Red (working title, subject to change) last weekend from Ki Films. The actor took to social media last week on Thursday to tease fans with a mystery image, revealing himself opposite actress Jennifer Lim (A Monster Calls) in an intense scene. Fowler wrote the proof late last year and began a collaborative development soon with filmmaker David Newton (Wrath Of God, The Last), constructing a short story to serve as preamble to a hopeful feature-length endeavor later down the line. Plot details are underwraps though, but I am told the project is described as “an emotionally driven action thriller set in the world of organ harvesting”. Red rejoins Fowler with Newton, himself an industry stunt performer, independent filmmaker who made the festival rounds in 2018 with his feature debut, Amber – […]

THE BATMAN: The Batmobile Revealed!

Lee B. Golden III

Production on The Batman has so far seen director Matt Reeves flick little crumbs of goodies from the set of his new DC Comics-inspired flick. We have a camera test teasing the costume, as well as shots of actor Robert Pattinson on the snowy set with what looks to be the Batcycle, and now Reeves is touting his own presentation of the Batmobile, which looks like a steady and slick hybrid between the Lincoln-Futura and the other darker, grittier all-black models. ?? #TheBatman pic.twitter.com/qJFNprk1ut — Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) March 4, 2020 Production officially began in late January and is expected to open on June 25, 2021 from Warner Bros. Pictures. Lead pic: Matt Reeves/Twitter

Your Next Viewing: ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS (Final Girls Berlin 2020)

Christina Ortega

The 2020 Final Girls Berlin Film Festival ran from February 6 through 9 and we here at Film Combat Syndicate were lucky enough to have remote access to some of the feature films and shorts. One of the ideas guiding this year’s film festival was best described by co-director Sara Neidorf when she said, “Horror is a very elastic term and we’re excited to discover films that make us question and expand our conceptions of what horror can be, both in ways that are distant from and uncannily near our own realities.” The Argentinian film Rock, Paper, Scissors fits this above thought perfectly. Horror is not always an escaped mental patient, the teenage girl being stalked by what appears to be a superhuman, nor is it the monsters hiding under the bed. Sometimes horror is just not knowing who to trust. In Rock, Paper, Scissors directors Macarena García Lenzi and […]

DARK WHISPERS

Your Next Viewing: DARK WHISPERS (Final Girls Berlin 2020)

Christina Ortega

The 2020 Final Girls Berlin Film Festival runs from February 6 through 9 and we here at Film Combat Syndicate were lucky enough to have remote access to some of the feature films and shorts. My first film to view for the Film Fest was the Australian film Dark Whispers. This one was unique as there was an overall story that moved forward in between short tales. Here is the official synopsis: When Clara discovers her deceased mother’s revered Book of Dark Whispers, she can’t stop reading the strange stories within its mystical pages. Each weird tale reveals a new facet of the twisted human psyche…or, in this case, the not-so-human. From the horror of grief to roommate living disasters, from existential dread to right-swiping vampires, there’s something for all tastes. The horror anthology is brought to you by eleven female directors from across Australia. Each of the strange stories […]

WITHOUT REMORSE: Michael B. Jordan Presents The New John Clark In A First Look Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Late Wednesday evening, IGN published the first official look at actor Michael B. Jordan in the new espionage thriller, Without Remorse, opening in theaters September 2020. The film hails from Paramount Pictures and centers on Jordan’s latest incarnation as Tom Clancy staple John Clark, origin story of John Clark, a Navy SEAL-turned-CIA ops officer whose mission of vengeance opens a door to an even darker, more dangerous conspiracy. Stefano Sollima is rejoining with Sicario: Day Of The Soldado scribe Taylor Sheridan, and with a cast that also includes actress Jodie Turner-Smith, and actors Jamie Bell, Luke Mitchell, Jacob Scipio, Cam Gigandet, Jack Kesy and Todd Lasance among others. Check out the first look above and the screengrab below, and be sure to follow Jordan on Instagram.

Mark Dacascos in ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK Reveals Mark Dacascos’ Killer New Look In These Four New Stills [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Film Combat Syndicate can proudly share a quartet of exclusive stills from upcoming thriller, One Night In Bangkok. Production was announced in June signaling the reunion of star/director duo, Mark Dacascos and Wych Kaosayananda in lieu of their latest pending November release, The Driver, from Lionsgate. Kaosayananda penned the new thriller which wrapped principal photography back in July and is currently on deck for a release sometime in the first quarter of 2020. Plot details remain underwraps, although according to the director in our own inquiry, the film is described as a crime noir in the vein of Collateral with its own twist. The wrap party back in July also saw the presentation of a tentative reel highlighting key moments from the new film. The film is aimed particularly to be more drama centric, though there will certainly be some morsels of the screenfighting kind as Dacascos won’t be the […]

Make Way For Kurando Mitsutake’s MANIAC DRIVER

Lee B. Golden III

Kurando Mitsutake is back on set with his latest film, Maniac Driver. After exciting fans with rousing feats like Gun Woman and the blistering revenge thrills of Karate Kill, folks following Mitsutake’s work can now add his latest effort to a list of things to keep an eye on in 2020. Pre-production began ten days ago marking his fifth project in Tokyo, with a shot of his new script. Mitsutake has since dropped a new look (via Facebook) at what’s in store for what he describes as a Japanese Giallo-style horror. The term is derived from the applied genre in Italy, hailed by notable directors like Mario Bava, Antonio Margheriti and Sergio Martino. The genre waned over the last thirty years long since it’s heyday popularity in the sixties and seventies though its influence and cult affinity still remains to this day. Clearly it’s a part of Mitsutake’s own tastes […]