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COBRA KAI

COBRA KAI: Season One Is Now Available For Purchase On Multiple Platforms

Lee B. Golden III

Cobra Kai series co-creator Jon Hurwitz took to Twitter this week announcing digital and streaming releases for the hit YouTube Premium series. The move also comes following news of a free, limited ad-supported run on YouTube beginning in August for the first and second seasons. “BIG NEWS! Season 1 of Cobra Kai is available to buy on iTunes, Vudu, Comcast, Amazon & Google Play!” Hurwitz tweeted. “So if you’ve wanted to watch, but couldn’t sign up for YouTube Premium, now’s your chance! Or if you’ve watched and just want to own the badassery, now’s your chance too! #CobraKai” A third season was also confirmed just over a week ago following the success of the second season since it’s premiere on May 2. The series picks up more than three decades later, spinning off the late John G. Avildsen 1984 hit drama, The Karate Kid, with a role-reversal story of redemption […]

IRON SKY: THE COMING RACE Nabs U.S. Day-And-Date July Release From Vertical

Lee B. Golden III

Timo Vuorensola’s space Nazi parody sequel, Iron Sky: The Coming Race, will open in North America for a day-and-date release on July 19. Veritcal Entertainment made its acquisition public this week with Deadline‘s Patrick Hipes reporting for its world sales at Cannes from Myriad Pictures. The highly anticipated sequel to the worldwide cult hit Iron Sky. The survivors of the war with the Nazis must leave their base on the dark side of the moon to travel to a hollow Earth in search of a life saving energy. Plan B actress Julia Dietze returns to reprise her role from the first film along with Udo Kier, and with Lara Rossi, Tom Green, Vladimir Burlakov and Kit Dale. The film is currently the second in a forthcoming trilogy with Chinese-set threequel, Iron Sky: The Ark, which received co-production backing from China Film Group in 2017, and with Max Wang (Wolf Totem) […]

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VIOLENCE OF ACTION Casts Chris Pine For Fall Action Thriller Shoot

Lee B. Golden III

The title itself is as apt for an action thriller feature as one could be with actor Chris Pine’s newest role in Violence Of Action. Heading to Cannes for sales courtesy of STXinternational with CAA Media Finance repping the U.S., cameras roll this Fall with The Nile Hilton Incident helmer Tarik Saleh directing from J.P. Davis. According to Brian Welk at The Wrap, Pine plays ex-marine James Reed, discharged unwillingly and resolved to join a paramilitary organization to support his family. On a mission in Poland with an elite black ops unit, Reed soon finds himself betrayed, alone and marked for death and must fight to survive along enough to uncover the conspiracy that now threatens his chances of getting home. STXinternational will release the film in the UK and Ireland. The Outlaw King and Star Trek trilogy star will next be seen following up his performance in Patty Jenkins’s […]

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BECKY Shoots This Summer From ‘Bushwick’ Duo, Casts Simon Pegg And Lulu Wilson

Lee B. Golden III

Of course nowadays contemporary action persona John Wick is gonna be the go-to persona for someone selling a concept. Such is the case for Becky, headed to Cannes from the respective international and US rights holders, Highland Film Group and UTA Independent Film Group. Cameras roll this summer with Annabelle: Creation actress Lulu Wilson opposite Cornetto trilogy and Star Wars trilogy actor Simon Pegg. Becky tells of a rebellious 13-year-old girl forced to defend herself and her widower father when criminals invade their lakehouse during their weekend getaway. Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, best known for unleahsing the playground crazy in Cooties and reigning terror on New York City in Bushwick are directing. Yale Productions’ Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman will produce with Raphael Margules and J.D. Lifshitz of BoulderLight Pictures. (SCREENDAILY)

GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE Adds Michelle Yeoh

Lee B. Golden III

Michelle Yeoh is making her return to action with Gunpowder Milkshake. As the trades cycled on Friday, the Star Trek: Discovery actress will join Karen Gillan of MCU franchise fame for the female-fronted thriller along with Lena Headey (Game Of Thrones), Angela Bassett (Black Panther), and Paul Giamatti (Shoot ‘Em Up, Billions). Navot Papushado and Aahron Keshales (Big Bad Wolves) are directing from a script they wrote with co-writer Ehud Lavski. Not much about the plot is being made public (at least willingly despite some serious Googling with a expanded results and no, I won’t share here at least yet), though current loglines are listing it as ” a high-concept female-centric assassin thriller that spans multiple generations”. Fair enough. Cameras roll June 3 at Babelsberg FilmStudio, Germany. Studiocanal and The Picture Company partners Andrew Rona & Alex Heineman are producing with Keshales serving as exec producer. Yeoh is just coming […]

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VAGABOND: Peep The Explosive New Teaser For The SBS/Netflix Espionage Action Drama Series

Lee B. Golden III

Among the many things I’m fond of, Korean film and TV still stand at the forefront. It’s a love I also share in the excitement of the new series, Vagabond, announced by Netflix three days ago and which will launch on the streaming service this September outside of Korea. Vagabond is described as an action-packed Korean espionage drama series and stars Lee Seung-gi (The King 2 Hearts, A Korean Odyssey) and Bae Suzy (Architecture 101, While You Were Sleeping). The new series marks their latest reunion since starring in 2013 series, Gu Family Book. Lee plays Cha Dal-geon, a stuntman who gets involved in a tragic airplane crash and ends up discovering a national corruption scandal in the process. Bae takes the role of Go Hae-ri, the oldest daughter of a deceased marine, who decides to work for the National Intelligence Service as a secret ops agent in order to […]

Liam Neeson To Bring The War To The Cartel In THE MINUTEMAN

Lee B. Golden III

Far from any talk of retirement, actor Liam Neeson is back for another action role in The Minuteman which rolls cameras this September. Directed by Robert Lorenz, Neeson will play a retired Vietnam veteran who finds himself caring for a young boy being hunted by the cartel. The Minuteman, which Altitude Sales is taking to Cannes next week for buyers, marks the latest update for Neeson who faced a mix of criticisms from the public during PR for his thriller, Cold Pursuit, over his actions and bygone mindset from close to four decades ago. Effectively it placee the subject of racism front and center in the mainstream and of course, people had their opinions and, well, I have mine. Lorenz will directs from a script he wrote with Chris Charles and Danny Kravitz. Tai Duncan and Mark Williams will produce for Zero Gravity Management nest to, alongside Sculptor Media’s Warren […]

WARRIOR: Dustin Nguyen Leads Quintet Of New Additions To Cinemax’s Hit Martial Arts Drama

Lee B. Golden III

It was only a matter of time following our report and common knowledge among those in the know, but the hit Cinemax series, Warrior, officially added five new faces to the battlefield of the recently-renewed series. Actor Dustin Nguyen, who recurs in the first season will also star the next one, and will also direct the sixth episode. Deadline‘s Denise Petski elucidates the details on the official additions of actor Chen Tang, and actresses Celine Buckens, Miranda Raison and Maria Elena Laas: Nguyen’s Zing is a ruthless, unpredictable leader of the Fung Hai tong. Zing’s partnership with Mai Ling and his unrelenting grip on Big Bill position him to become a powerful new force in Chinatown. Tang will play Hong, a somewhat eccentric but no less deadly hatchet man sent over from China to join the Hop Wei tong’s ranks. Buckens will portray Sophie Mercer, a young, rebellious woman, chafing […]

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CAGEFIGHTER: Dean Ambrose Joins Michael Jai White And Josh Herdmann

Lee B. Golden III

Jesse Quinones’s new MMA drama, Cagefighter, is still on the way to principal photography, but casting is still going and Deadline‘s own Andreas Wiseman brings word that Dean Ambrose (a.k.a. Jonathan Good) is joining the cast. Cagefighter has already since cast Harry Potter franchise co-star Josh Herdmann for the lead role of Reiss, a fighter deemed erratic and out of control after unexpectedly losing a heavily promoted match finds him on a downward spiral. His marriage is on the brink as is his friendship with his agent, and after alienating his long-time trainer and the biggest MMA promoter in the business, he must now dig deep to find a path to victory and redemption. Also joining in the hard-hitting drama Michael Jai White (Triple Threat, The Hard Way), Gina Gershon (Face/Off), Michelle Ryan (Bionic Woman), and Jason Maza (Brotherhood). Ambrose, formerly of The Shield faction and ex-WWE wrestler as of […]

Argent To Rev Up Olympic Coming-Of-Age Boxing Doc, THEY FIGHT, As Narrative Feature

Lee B. Golden III

Fox Sports’ boxing doc, They Fight, is well on the way to a narrative feature adaptation according to Deadline‘s Andreas Wiseman. Argent Pictures’ Jill and Ryan Ahrens, and Ben Renzo, and Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures are producing the new movie inspired by Andrew Renzi’s 2017 doc and Michael Minahan’s 2016 WaPo article on which its based. Renzi is penning the screenplay for the new feature which, like Renzi’s They Fight, will center on a group of adolescent boxers and their formerly incarcerated coach in Southeast Washington DC on the road to defend their national titles – according to Wiseman. Argent’s own Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, and retirees – NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, and NBA all-star Michael Finley will serve as exec producers. Producer Ryan Ahrens said, “We really felt compelled to make a bigger cinematic […]

THE HEART

THE HEART: Yang Kun Goes Pound For Pound In The Official Trailer For The Long-Awaited Sports Drama

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been maybe four years since production took for director Liu Fendou’s new sports drama, titled The Heart Of The Champion at the time. If you’re a Westerner like me and not in the loop as to what the exact situation was then your guess is about as good as mine; a music video did go viral in 2017 though, which was really the only sign of life this film had until this point. On Thursday, an official trailer arose for the new boxing drama which now goes by The Heart for its June release. Singer and songwriter, actor Yang Kun (Lethal Hostage) stars with actress Xia Zitong (The Monkey King) for the story of a down-and-out boxer who meets a girl who was the recipient of his late brother’s heart – hence the title, I guess. Also starring is actor Shi Yanneng (a.k.a. Xing Yu) and with an action […]

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STRAPPED: Scott Adkins And Isaac Florentine Reunite For The New MMA Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

It’s the action romance that won’t die with actor/director duo Scott Adkins and Isaac Florentine back for a ninth outing together called Strapped. Production begins later this year with Adkins starring as a former MMA fighter forced to confront the heart of his dark past following a brutal robbery and the theft of his championship belt. Florentine, credited for hits like Acts Of Vengeance and U.S. Seals 2, and a string of Adkins headliners dating back to 2003 pic, Special Forces, also developed the screenplay with Adkins, Michael J. Luisi, and Matt Venne who is penning the script. Luisi will produce with Kirk D’Amico whose Myriad Pictures will finance and represent for international sales in Cannes. “We are excited to be working with this team, including Scott Adkins and Isaac Florentine, and alongside producer Michael Luisi, who are all so experienced in making dynamic action and fight films,” said D’Amico. […]

Dark Comedy FATMAN Shoots Next Year Starring Mel Gibson

Lee B. Golden III

If you’ve been keeping score with all things Cannes, you’ve likely come across news about Mel Gibson’s new dark action comedy, Fatman, which shoots early next year following the release of his next thriller, Boss Level, featuring Frank Grillo. Gibson is attached to play a rowdy, unorthodox Santa Claus fighting his business decline, now targeted by a 12 year-old seeking retribution after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking. Small Town Crime helmers Ian and Eshom Nels will direct from their own script. Brandon James of Rough House, Nadine de Barros (JT Leroy) of Fortitude and Lisa Wolofsky (White Crow) of Skywolf are producing with James’ Rough House Partners, David Gordon Green, Danny McBride and Jody Hill exec producing. Casting is still underway by Chelsea Bloch, C.S.A. (A Dog’s Way Home, The Mummy) and Marisol Roncali, C.S.A. (Deadpool 2, After) of Atomic Honey. “I am Excited to be working […]

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ONCE UPON A TIME IN INDONESIA: Everyone Throws Down In The First Trailer For Asun Mawardi’s New Crime Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Director Asun Mawardi and the folks over at CreativeMotion Pictures are aiming to please once more following low key releases such as Mortal Enemies (a.k.a. Pirate Brothers), and his 2016 award-winning actioner, #66. Enter lead cast duo Franki Darmawan and Djaitov Tigor for what now lies ahead with Once Upon A Time In Indonesia. The official trailer is online via social media and taking clear aim at proliferating Indonesia’s independent action talent demographic a bit. The future crashes into the past when a group of friends cross a local loan shark. Haunted by the deeds of his father, Max wants to be more than the son of a criminal and escape the crime infested neighborhood he lives in. Max’s best friend Leo is always in and out of trouble and has a history of crossing the line in hopes of making it big someday. In a neighborhood where everyone knows […]

RAMBO: Cannes Announces Sylvester Stallone’s May 24 In-Person Buzz For Final Film, And 4K Screening Of 1982 Original

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Sylvester Stallone is gonna be peppering up Cannes quite a bit starting next week. He already has a remake of upcoming South Korean Don Lee starrer, The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil, in his wake, and his 1993 classic hit movie, Cliffhanger, is also under Ana Lily Amirpour’s remake microscope without his involvement. For this, we now turn to news over from Cannes that the celebrated action star is bringing a double dose of Rambo to the 72nd Festival de Cannes, firstly promoting Rambo V: Last Blood with an exclusive first look. And second, to screen the world premiere of a 4K rendering of Ted Kotcheff’s original novel adaptation, Rambo: First Blood. Read on: As he will be present at Cannes, Sylvester Stallone will have the honor of a special screening in the Palais des Festivals on Friday, May 24 at 10:30PM. He will introduce on stage some exclusive […]

Cyberpunk Thriller DANGER DIVA To Rock The Palais des Festivals Next Week

Lee B. Golden III

The latest of two trailers arrived this week for Danger Diva from filmmaker Robert McGinley (Shredder Orpheus), and featuring the lively sounds of Seattle rock band, Thunderpussy whose Molly Sides leads the cast. The new cyberpunk rock-and-roll thriller is screening at the Palais des Festivals et des Congress in Cannes on May 17 at 8:00pm prior to a pending worldwide release from Adler & Associates Entertainment, Inc. Described as “a science fiction futurist nightmare for the ages”, Danger Diva takes audiences on a dystopian journey into the near future with hard rock singer Devi Danger (Sides) as she is coerced into becoming an electronically enhanced new-music diva. Her singing voice is used to control and energize the brains of indoctrinated employees (also known as “Brain Cattle”) that are being used as external processors for the advancement of corporate high tech clients. Operating in a digital sweatshop, these “Brain Cattle” process […]

CLIFFHANGER: Sales Art Reveals ‘The Bad Batch’ Director’s Remake Plans For 1993 Action Classic

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaker Ana Lily Amirpour could be on the way to directing a female fronted version of Renny Harlin’s 1993 action blockbuster, Cliffhanger, after spending a year preparing for the project. Indeed, the buzz is real including over at Deadline which also has fresh key art front and center as it will show once it hits the sales floor next week at Cannes. Check it out below! The original film had actor Sylvester Stallone leaping far and hitting hard as a mountain ranger forced to go toe-to-toe with a gang of mercenaries over a stash of $100 million dollars in missing cash. The film also starred Michael Rooker and John Lithgow and earned upwards of $255 million dollars upon releasing from TriStar, and reportedly tried/failed to undergo remakes and reboots thereafter. Amirpour reportedly spent a year in preparation, and also took a ten-day hiking tour in the French, Swiss and Italian […]

HBO’s WATCHMEN Teaser: Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock…

HBO’s WATCHMEN Teaser: Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock…

Lee B. Golden III

Zack Snyder’s 2009 graphic novel adaptation, Watchmen, was never the hit many thought it should have been. Thankfully the cult following it accrued has all but kept the fandom alive along with other treatments and now, to add, a live-action series coming to HBO this Fall with a story centered on new characters. Of course, fan favorite Rorschach is peppered all throughout, adding to the menacing and intrigue of what lies ahead. Check out the teaser above and a first look at Regina Kent just below! Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, this drama series from executive producer Damon Lindelof embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name while attempting to break new ground of its own. The cast includes: Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Jean Smart, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Hong Chau, Andrew […]

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INTERFACE: Jack Into The Series Pilot Trailer For ‘Blood And Bone’ Helmer Ben Ramsey’s New Cyberpunk Action Sci-Fi

Lee B. Golden III

Fresh from five long years of slow brewing and nurturing, screen writer and filmmaker Ben Ramsey (Blood And Bone, Black Salt) is proudly signaling the remainder of 2019 with some passionately-made new sci-fi lore with upcoming series pilot, Interface. Ramsey won’t be at Cannes to introduce his latest labor of love, birthed and created with writer, stunt professional Arnold Chon, but will defintiely be looking to shop his latest product in the market scene in due time. In the future the ultimate gaming console is the human mind. When the games begin to kill the players in real life, one cop must go undercover into the virtual world of gaming to bring these deadly mind- hackers down for good. I don’t use the term “labor of love” loosely here either. Chon, who birthed the original concept, sold his condo in an effort to finance the project on top of him […]

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LONG GONE HEROES: Guy Pearce And Ben Kingsley Headline Santiago Manes Moreno’s Directing Debut

Lee B. Golden III

Santiago Manes Moreno has reportedly set a feature directing debut with DDI repping international sales this month at Cannes. Long Gone Heroes in the name and has Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley set to star about a discouraged ex-military operative hunted by former comrades while on a mission to track down a reporter in a combat zone who’s found herself embroiled in a political conspiracy. Moreno penned the project and will produce through 7One7 Films with Ines Mongil-Echandi and Noli Mollakuqe. Also producing are Jason Moring, Stanley Preschutti and Mark Padilla of Double Dutch International (DDI) with Jay Fragus serving as exec producer. (THR)