Georgian director Nick Sarkisov is making his American debut with MMA drama, Embattled, with production underway in Alabama this week. For this, Giant Little Ones actor Darren Mann officially joined the cast this week leading David McKenna’s script opposite Blade co-star Stephen Dorff.
Embattled will see Mann star as a high school Judo prodigy who comes toe-to-toe with his biggest rival in the ultimate MMA battle for recognition and retribution: his father – to be played by Dorff. Mann will soon be seen in next month’s Netflix premiere, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina while Dorff, who exec produces on Embattled, will appear in HBO’s upcoming True Detective: Season Three.
Next to Mann, Amanda N’Duka’s exclusive at Deadline also lists Twilight Saga actrees Elizabeth Reaser, TNT series Claws actress Karrueche Tran, and Wonder Woman co-star Saïd Taghmaoui. McKenna’s son, Colin – born with Williams Syndrome, will also star in a supporting role.
Blitz was launched by independent Georgian film producer duo Sergey Sarkisov and Nick Sarkisov; The latter previously directed STS channel series drama, The Moon, followed by his 2016 freshman feature outing, Krasny.
Straight Up Films’ Kate Cohen and Scott LaStaiti will produce. Dorff is executive producing along with Sergey Sarkisov, co-founder of Blitz whose Eryl Cochran will oversee production.