Randy Orton Will Star In THE CONDEMNED 2!
If you didn’t care much for a perfect action movie back in 2007 with Scott Wiper’s The Condemned, chances are you might have liked it more than most. It starred then-lead actor and wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin opposite a ferocious performance by actor Vinnie Jones and proved be a well-worthy, violently entertaining popcorn fun for action fans, with brutal action sequences by stunt coordinated by the one and only Richard Norton.
The film was also produced by WWE Studios who have made it their agenda to bring talented athletes to the forefront of action filmmaking, using their athletic skills as an advantage, and for what it is worth, it’s been paying off. More films are coming down the pipeline from the studio, and here to make another contribution is sensational wrestling badass, actor Randy Orton in his third acting stint for the newly-announced second offering, working titled The Condemned 2: Desert Prey. The film marks Orton’s third foray into acting following 12 Rounds: Reloaded with The Man With The Iron Fists 2: The Sting Of The Scorpion helmer Roel Reiné in the director’s chair for the latest ambitious sequel.
The first saw its then-protagonist Austin singlehandedly taking down a televised high-stakes survival death game. Now, a new player has entered the arena. Place your bets!
SANTA MONICA, Calif., and STAMFORD, Conn. – Lionsgate, the premier next-generation global content leader, and WWE Studios announced today the production of “The Condemned 2: Desert Prey,” (working title), which extends the long-standing partnership between the two studios.
Roel Reiné (“Death Race: Inferno,” “The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption”) is set to direct with WWE Superstar Randy Orton attached to star. “The Condemned 2” marks Reiné’s and Orton’s second film together after the successful release of “12 Rounds 2: Reloaded.” Alan McElroy (“The Marine 4: Moving Target”) wrote the script. The film is scheduled to commence principal photography in New Mexico later this year.
“The Condemned 2” follows a former bounty hunter (Orton) who soon finds himself on the run as part of a newly revamped, high-stakes and deadly Condemned tournament.
“We’re thrilled to be continuing ‘The Condemned’ franchise with Randy, Roel and our terrific partners at Lionsgate,” said Michael Luisi, WWE Studios President.
WWE Studios will leverage its extensive multi-platform reach to promote the film.
“We are excited to be reteaming with WWE on “The Condemned 2,” after such a positive experience on the original film,” said Lionsgate Co-Chief Operating Officer and Motion Picture Group President Steve Beeks. “The combination of their brand marketing capabilities, creativity and deep lineup of dynamic onscreen talent result in a powerful partnership.”
WWE Studios and Lionsgate previously collaborated on “The Condemned,” “See No Evil” and “Leprechaun: Origins,” as well the just-released “See No Evil 2.” In 2015, the two studios will release the first two installments of their “Action Six-Pack” series: “Vendetta,” directed by The Soska Sisters (“See No Evil 2”) and starring WWE Superstar Paul “Big Show” Wight, as well as “Lockdown,” directed by Stephen Reynolds (“Tomb Raider Ascension”) and starring WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose.
Bradley Buchanan, SVP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of WWE Studios, and Wendy Jaffe, EVP of Business & Legal Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Lionsgate.
H/T: Variety