afm 2015

Mo' Brothers Action Thriller, HEADSHOT Gets US, Asia And Japan Distribution

Photo: Instagram Action star Iko Uwais still draws a multitude of eyes for fans pining for more following his successes from 2010 and onward with martial arts drama, Merantau, and The Raid franchise. Since then with several appearances lined-up including Star Wars: The Force Awakens this December and next year’s Beyond Skyline, Uwais has already gone deep into his latest immersive role as an amnesiac on the run in the new movie, Headshot. Filming began earlier this month with Uwais leading the cast next to Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle and Sunny Pang. The film hails from Killers helmer Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel with a script by Tjahjanto which sees Uwais mysteriously losing his memory and being treated by a nurse only to be subsequently plunged back into action when his past catches up to him. Of course, with the American Film Market having been active over in Santa Monica […]

White And Jackson Are Playing COPS AND ROBBERS In Mexico

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and action star Michael Jai White currently has a place in this year’s American Film Market in Santa Monica, California where CineTel Films is shopping director Christian Sesma’s latest, Vigilante Diaries, co-starring Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. That film may get as far as a 2016 release next to White’s latest MMA directorial offering, Never Back Down 3, while another title is now in store for both actors. For this, Variety brings news of the new film, Cops And Robbers, which is now underway in Mexico with Cineville International holding the fort at AFM. Tadross Media Group and Parkside Pictures are producing the film with a script by director Scott Windhauser that centers on White and Jackson in the opposite respective roles of a strung-out police negotiator back on the job following a six-month suspension, only to end up cornering a gang of bank robbers led by his long lost brother […]

Brian De Palma To Switch LIGHTS OUT For Aurora

Lee B. Golden III

It was back in September that China-based Huace Pictures and LA/Sydney-based Arclight Films jointly launched Aurora Alliance Films. A figure to the tune of $300 million dollars came attached with this venture and it just so happens that first on its list of planned high-concept movies has since nabbed a director. Variety brings word of filmmaker Brian De Palma, whose resumè which includes Scarface, Carrie and Carlito’s Way is one that speaks for itself. Replacing previously-announced Hitman helmer Xavier Gens, De Palma will now direct the new film, Lights Out, which sees an unsuspecting female protagonist who happens to be blind, caught in an a dangerous plot to expose a high level assassination program, forcing her to use her other senses to fight for her survival. Casting is currently underway for principle roles, including a Chinese lead with a script by Jeff Byrd and Lamont Magee, and Huace Media, Aurora […]

Road Pictures Launches Film Fund, Slates Action Comedy US 66 For 2017

Lee B. Golden III

Several China companies are making a killing at the American Film Market this week, including Road Pictures. The company recently annonced its involvement with SJ Pictures for a new Jason Statham thriller now in the works from a script by Kurt Wimmer, and furthermore, happens to be one of a slew of projects to encompass the company’s new first-round $50 million dollar Hollywood/China film production fund. According to Variety, one other project newly announced as of Saturday includes US 66, to be produced in partnership with Kingsgate Films. Roger Avary is providing the script which will focus on a former Navy SEAL-turned-bodyguard forced on a wild road trip whilst protecting the incorrigible son of a Chinese billionaire. “The concept behind ‘US 66’ was to have Chinese and American protagonists who are of equal value,” says Road Pictures founder Gongming Cai. “It will be a real physical and verbal culture clash, […]

AFM 2015: Lionsgate Takes THE COMMUTER And OUR KIND OF TRAITOR

Lee B. Golden III

It’s business as usual over at the American Film Market with deals made and announced in droves, and Lionsgate is in the thick of it as well. They’ve just snagged the Liam Neeson thriller, The Commuter, and Ewan McGregor’s latest, Our Kind Of Traitor, and I’ve been up on the first title much more than the latter, but both sound like very interesting titles to come. SANTA MONICA, Calif. and PARIS, Nov. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to two films from Europe’s leading studio STUDIOCANAL, the suspense thriller The Commuter, starring Liam Neeson, and the international thriller Our Kind of Traitor, starring Ewan McGregor, it was announced today by Lionsgate Co-COO and Motion Picture Group President Steve Beeks and STUDIOCANAL President of International Distribution & Marketing Rodolphe Buet. The Commuter stars Neeson (the Taken series, […]

[UPDATED] Tiger Chen, Robin Shou, Danny Chan Lead KUNG FU COWBOY Next Year

Lee B. Golden III

Look no further than folks like action star, martial artist and stuntman Tiger Chen who has cut his teeth in the industry for quite some time. Most prominently, working under Yuen Woo-Ping for as long as he has even allowed him to stake a claim in one of his first lead roles in the last several years, namely Keanu Reeves’ prominent directorial debut, Man Of Tai Chi in which he portrayed a troubled martial artist forced to come to terms with the dark side of his fighting skills. It was a performance I rather enjoyed – a little reserved but still showed Chen‘s range to a noticable degree, and it suitably won’t hurt to see him in another role after that. Since then he’s had a few projects in store but now that the pot is brewing at AFM this week, Variety brings news of Chen’s latest attachement to the […]

478 To Shoot Next Month With Arnold Schwarzenegger Starring

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s latest stint as the Terminator in Genysis may have been much more of a critical mixed bag for audiences, but his grisled and layered role in the zombie thriller, Maggie, has since opened a few more doors to opportunities to flesh out similar performances. This may even now bode well now for Emmett/Furla/Oasis who are now moving forward to finance director Elliot Lester‘s new revenge drama, 478 from Protozoa Pictures. Deadline is reports the new film will begin shooting next month in Ohio with a script by Enemy scribe Javier Guillon which focuses on a grieving father sets out to avenge his wife and daughter when an air traffic controller botches on the job, causing the plane to crash. Both Emmett/Furla/Oasis and Protozoa are producing with Lionsgate already slated to release the film in the U.S. while Highland Film Group launches international sales at the American Film […]

Reynolds, Jackson And Oldman Headline HITMAN'S BODYGUARD For Filming Next Year

Lee B. Golden III

With everything setting off at the American Film Market between now and next Wednesday, expect to be blitzed with all sorts of casting news, and that extends to the folks at Millenium Pictures who are on hand to shop their latest, Hitman’s Bodyguard, to buyers. The film has been in the works for sometime now with Taken helmer Pierre Morel once tapped to direct, but as usual with any project sitting in limbo, things have shifted. As of this week, it’ll be Never Back Down and Kick-Ass 2 director Jeff Wadlow in the chair for the new film written by Tom O’Connor with a plot by THR that reads as follows: The film centers on the world’s top protection agent (Reynolds) who has a new client: a hit man who has come in from the cold. They’ve been on opposite ends of a bullet for years and hate one another. […]

MMA Revenge Drama, FIGHT VALLEY, Gets A 2016 Release

Lee B. Golden III

Post production continues for director Rob Hawk’s latest American Film Market entry, Fight Valley. In the meantime, its presence at AFM is servicing some good prospects this week with word from Screendaily that the film will be represented globally by Philadelphia-based Breaking Glass Pictures. Hawk directs from his own script debuting a line-up of UFC stars, featuring Holly Holm and Cris Cyborg, and lead actress Chelsea Durkalec joining Miesha Tate in the story of a young woman on a desperate mission to investigate the death of her sister. A sequel is set to commence next Spring or Summer provided this one bodes well for audiences upon its VOD and theatrical 2016 release. A teaser is expected to arrive soon, so watch this space.