afm 2017

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AFM 2017: ‘The Walking Dead’ Actress Lauren Cohan Joins MILE 22

Indeed, STXfilms is moving forward with the new action thriller, Mile 22, and with its initial cast of Mark Wahlberg, John Malkovich, Ronda Rousey and Indonesian import Iko Uwais. The film has been on the move for a year and change now with Peter Berg directing from a script by Graham Roland and Lea Carpenter and while movement has been albeit slow, it looks as if the goalpost nears later this month for start of production.

This little tidbit also brings news by way of Variety with the addition of actress Lauren Cohan, best known for the role of Maggie on the hit AMC series, The Walking Dead, which is well into the release of its eighth season. Character details are pending whilst the premise remains with a story telling of an elite American intelligence officer who, aided by a top-secret tactical command unit, tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer with sensitive information out of the country.

Berg and Wahlberg are producing the film in their latest pairing following Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots’ Day. They are joined by Stephen Levinson who will also produce with plans for a hopeful trilogy and possible multiplatform ventures. John Logan Pierson will serve as executive producer with Drew Simon and Kate Vorhoff overseeing for STXfilms.

Cohan’s casting was announced at the American Film Market wherke Uwais is also being represented by way of Arclight Films with the upcoming release of Jesse Johnson’s Triple Threat next year.

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AFM 2017: Antonio Banderas Action Thriller, BEYOND THE EDGE, Nabs Sales In Europe, Latin America And Asia

The film is the latest action genre title to feature Antonio Banderas following roles in action heavy roles in Gun Shy, Security and Isaac Florentine’s Acts Of Vengeance. According to Screendaily AMBI’s latest round of sales have gone to France and French-speaking Europe (Program Store), Japan (Klockworks), Germany (Eurovideo), China (Turbo Film), Spain (Selecta Vision), Russia (Karoprokat), Latin America/Eastern Europe/Turkey (SPI), Switzerland (Impuls), Middle East (Falcon), Greece (Feelgood), Portugal (NOS Lusmundo), Singapore (Shaw), South Korea (AiasPlus), Malaysia and Vietnam (Rainfilm) and former Yugoslavia (MCF).

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AFM 2017: Action Thriller BORDERLINE Teases Cult Appeal With Diego Hallivis To Direct

Screen Media has been hitting the floor this week selling its package to buyers including sci-fi drama, Curvature from helmer Diego Hallivis. In wake of this, Variety is now reporting the director will be working on the new action thriller, Borderline, marking the latest project under his shared 1inMM Productions banner with sibling and prod. partner Julio Hallvis.

Story details are being kept quiet while the plot itself is being described as a cross between David McKenzie’s Hell Or High Water and the 2014 hit movie, John Wick. In that case, it’s reasonable to imagine this being a desert hitman western heist thriller with a Wick-ton of gun fu and BJJ scrapping and personally, I hope that’s the case.

Phillip Tarl Denson wrote the film which 1inMM is financing. Hallvis’s Curvature screened recently at Sitges and will release early next year with Lyndsay Fonseca and Terminator 2: Judgement Day actress Linda Hamilton starring.

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AFM 2017: Heist Action Thriller, POACHER, Nabs Bracey, Nolte To Star

Ashley McLeod (The Offer, upcoming Storm Warning) is producing with Teresa Ticehurst (Mad Max Fury Road, Thor 3, Hunger Games, Storm Warning) and James M. Vernon (Hacksaw Ridge, In Like Flynn), all who retain North American rights to the film. Stenders became best known for his work on 2011 comedy, Red Dog, its 2016 sequel Red Dog: True Blue, and the 2017 drama Australia Day.

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AFM 2017: THE BOUNCER Taps Jean-Claude Van Damme To Star

AFM 2017: THE BOUNCER Taps Jean-Claude Van Damme To Star

International sales outlet Other Angle has been at work this week at the American Film Market shopping its package to buyers. Their efforts currently include $10 million dollar actioner, The Bouncer, obliging fans of action star Jean-Claude Van Damme for a their attention as production readies for a January shoot.

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PADMAVATI: Don’t Miss The Official Trailer For Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Sweeping War Epic

I’m never informed enough about Indian cinema to give an expert opinion. What I can tell you is that the ones I have seen have all been a fascinating and striking experience in some capacity, most recently S.S. Rajamouli’s two-part sword epic, Bahubali, which all but signals the continued reptutation of just how insanely big Indian films can get. Especially period pieces.

Moving forward, I suspect Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ninth film to date, Padmavati, will be no different in leaving a similar impression with actress Deepika Padukone (Hollywood breakout co-star of xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage) starring in the title role. The film takes its cues from a 14th century poem which tells of an ancient Mewar ruler, and his wife, a legendary Rajput queen who commits self-immolation in defense of her own honor in the wake of a Warlord’s attacks and invasions motivated only by his lust for her.

The production itself has endured quite its fair share of backlash from right-wing political groups trying to sabotage the film. Gladly this hasn’t stopped its progress and its not hindering the film’s day-and-date rollout on December 1 in India with Paramount Pictures handling distribution worldwide.

via Screendaily:

“I am very proud to announce that Paramount Pictures will lead the international release of our epic filmPadmavati,” Ajit Andhare, COO at Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said. “This is a first ever such collaboration with Paramount Pictures releasing a Viacom18 Hindi feature across international markets. We are breaking new ground with Padmavati and its marketing and release strategy.”

Paramount president of worldwide distribution and marketing Megan Colligan said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Viacom18 Motion Pictures on this exciting new release. Padmavati has all the makings of a hit film and we are excited to bring Sanjay’s incredible vision to audiences across the international market place.”

The official trailer has been out for several weeks now and with over 40 million views as of this post and footage clicking in over three minutes, I totally get the excitement. Check it out for yourself below.

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AFM 2017: FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY Wraps Production In Time For Buyers

Carmel Winters, the award-winning helmer of the 2010 Dublin Critics’ Circle favorite, SNAP, is back in the limelight seven years later. Her new film, Float Like A Butterfly, is currently shopping around at the American Film Market and Screendaily presented a first look photo for the upcoming Irish boxing drama which you can take a gander at below:

Teenage Irish Traveller Francis lost her mother in a fight. The same fight which led to her father being locked up in jail for the last ten years. Francis has never forgiven the police sergeant who she feels is responsible for this. She’s got fighting in her blood, just like her idol Muhammad Ali inspiring her to be the Greatest. 

When her father gets out of jail, Francis is starry-eyed. Together they can take on the world. But her father doesn’t turn out to be the hero she remembers. Required to keep the peace due to the conditions of his parole, he’s forced to endure humiliation from the police sergeant, much to Francis’ horror. And to make up for lost time, he is determined to make a man of his son and an obedient wife of his daughter. 

Francis never wanted to clash with her beloved father, but when he forces her to give up her dream of boxing and behave like a “lady”, she is left with no choice. Cast out by the world and her family alike, Francis must fight even for the right to fight. Some people say it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose. But Francis knows that losing is not an option. This is a fight she has been training for all her life. And she knows, the only way she can end this war is to win it.

The film hails from WestEnd Films who are presenting the film to buyers in Santa Monica, and sits under their female-centric film shingle, WeLove, which launched last June. Rounding out the main cast is are actress Hazel Doupe, Dara Devaney, and Aidan O’Hare with Lalor Roddy, and Hilda Fay.

The film has since wrapped production with Martina Niland and David Collins producing and Cathleen Dore serving as co-producing. Joined by Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and RTÉ Television, the project was financed by The Irish Film Board whose Lesley McKimm served as executive producer.

Director Carmel Winters said: “Even more so since his death, Muhammad Ali remains a powerful and timeless symbol of the Champion of the Underdog. It feels timely that now on our screens we will see a young Irish Traveller girl, Francis, take on the mantle of his legacy with her own gut-wrenching and ultimately jubilant story.”

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AFM 2017: Thirby, Ritchson And Fox Enter The Arena For MMA Romance Tale, SHADOW GIRL

SHADOW GIRL is a magic-realist tale about a young woman who has faded to the point of becoming invisible and must find her way back into the world. After more than a decade of solitude and making a living in the shadows as a paparazzi photographer, Holly (Thirlby) meets the one man who can see her, Shane Blackwell (Ritchson), a disgraced MMA fighter working as a bouncer. Holly discovers that it was one of her tabloid photographs that caused his downfall, and that she must restore him to his former glory if she wants to regain a foothold in the world around her. With Shane, Holly awakens to love but also to the reality that she bears more responsibility for her fate than she ever imagined.

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AFM 2017: Swen Group Picks Up Jackie Chan Sci-Fi, BLEEDING STEEL, For A Multiterritorial December 22 Release

AFM 2017: Swen Group Picks Up Jackie Chan Sci-Fi, BLEEDING STEEL, For A Multiterritorial December 22 Release

Leo Zhang’s China-Australia co-production, Bleeding Steel is readying releases worldwide thanks in large part to its worldwide acquisition by Swen Asia, excluding China. The Swen Group’s Swen Asia shingle is prepping a simultaneous day-and-date theatrical and digital rollout in association with WME-IMG China on December 22 with territories slated for North America, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and most Asian territories.

Jackie Chan, fresh off of impressing audiences in Martin Campbell’s The Foreigner, stars in the Zhang’s sophomore effort which centers on a hardened special forces agent who fends off a criminal gang whilst in protection of a young woman with whom he feels a deeper connection. The news comes just as Chan has already made landfall at the American Film Market ahead of the production of director Vash’s new action adventure fantasy, Knight Of Shadows.

Bleeding Steel joins Chan with Taiwanese star Show Lo, actor Callan Mulvey (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and actress Tess Haubrich (Alien: Covenant), and actresses Nana Ouyang (To The Fore) and newcomer Erica Xia-Hou.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Swen Group president Murray Lipnik sealed the deal alongside Endeavor Content on behalf of WME-IMG China with Ellen Eliasoph representing the producers at the table.

“We are thrilled to continue our worldwide expansion strategy with this important and exciting film,” said Lipnik. “Jackie Chan remains a worldwide superstar and our partnership with WME-IMG China on this project fits perfectly into our long-term plans.”

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AFM 2017: WWII Action Drama, THE BOMBING, Gets Sales Movement Going Under Blue Box

The film, currently in post-production, hit a stalemate with investors last summer which led to a delay in its China release. Xiao Feng (Hushed Roar) directs with art direction led by Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge), joining Willis with Bingbing Fan (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Iron Man 3) and Nicholas Tse (The Stool Pigeon, Bodyguards and Assassins). Stephen J. Eads, Haiyang Jiang, Jian-Xiang Shi and Buting Yang produced the film.

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AFM 2017: Revenge Thriller Remake, HARD POWDER, Goes To Lionsgate

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Variety is reporting that Lionsgate has officially nabbed the U.S. rights to the upcoming black comedy crime thriller remake, Hard Powder. Liam Neeson stars in the remade tale of a humble ski town snowplow driver in the Rocky Mountains who ensues a gang war between opposing sides while seeking bloody vengeance for the murder of his son.

Neeson is joined by Emmy Rossum, Laura Dern, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Julia Jones, John Doman and Aleks Panouvic from a script by Frank Baldwin. Hans Petter Moland returned at the helm following the hit Norwegian original,  Kraftidioten, which he directed for Magnet Releasing’s 2014 U.S. release re-titled In Order Of Disappearance with Stellan Skarsgård starring.

Neeson’s next stop will be in theaters this January in Jaume Collet-Serra’s The Commuter, also from Lionsgate.

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AFM 2017: Jean Reno Hitman Thriller, THE LAST STEP, Lands At Goldcrest

Jean Reno (Léon: The Professional, The Adventurers) is headlining the new movie with Sarah Lind (The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford), Tom Hopper (Black Sails) and Gary Dourdan (Alien: Resurrection) rounding out the cast. Laurent Tolleron (Frontiers) is producing via Seven 52 along Corinne Benichou and Florence Moos for Eight 35. Co-producting are Lagardere Studio in France and in the Ukraine by Olias Barco and Oleg German with East West Productions and made with the support of the Ukrainian State Film Agency.

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POLAR: Mads Mikkelsen To Star In The New Political Assassin Thriller Graphic Novel Adaptation

Variety’s Thursday exclusive comes less than a week before Mister Smith Entertainment presents the project to international buyers at this year’s 36th American Film Market in Santa Monica, California which launches on November 1. Constantin Films’s Robert Kulzer, Bolt Pictures’s Jeremy Bolt, Dark Horse Entertainment’s Mike Richardson, and Keith Goldberg with Martin Moszkowicz executive producing.

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