Twelve years since Jeff Wadlow left his footprint in the MMA subgenre of action films with Never Back Down, the film that spawned a raft of direct-to-DVD films shepherded by Michael Jai White is now in the hands of Kellie Madison for her contribution, Never Back Down: Revolt, according to a Deadline exclusive on Tuesday.
Never Back Down: Revolt centers on a woman (Olivia Popica, Informer, Retribution) who is kidnapped and forced to compete in elite underground fights and has to battle her way out to freedom.
Madison will direct from a script by Audrey Arkins (Elyse) for Mandalay Pictures, Wonder Street and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. Production is set to start November 23 in and around London.
Madison previously directed The Tank, and in 2016, advanced herself into the martial arts genre with her explosive proof of concept, The Gate, which had Hollywood stunt professional and oft actress Amy Johnston (Lady Bloodfight) crossing fists and feet with international action star Cecep Arif Rahman (The Raid 2).
For what it’s worth, that project is still in development with hopes that with Never Back Down: Revolt, Madison will finally get to break the glass ceiling a little further on the MA action movie front among the likes of Steve Wang, Isaac Florentine and Jesse Johnson.
More to come.