THE SYSTEM: The Avenue Picks Up Action Thriller Starring Tyrese Gibson
As repoted by the trades this week, Highland Film Group’s The Avenue has secured North American distribution rights for action thriller, The System. The film stars Tyrese Gibson (The Fast & Furious franchise), Terrence Howard (Lionsgate’s Crash, Fox’s “Empire”), Jeremy Piven (HBO’s “Entourage”), and Lil Yachty (Lionsgate’s Long Shot).
Filmed on location in Jackson, Mississippi, and directed from a script by helmer Dallas Jackson (Netflix’s Thriller), The System centers on a former marine (Gibson), recruited by authorities to go undercover in a notoriously dangerous prison following a drug bust. After discovering an underground fight ring, he has to fight to stay alive and take down the corrupt system.
Gibson is also producing the film with Bryan Lord (Willy’s Wonderland) and Petr Jakl (Best Sellers), with Martin J Barab (State and Main), Matthew Helderman (Last Full Measure), Luke Taylor (Cosmic Sin), Gardy Craig (Paradise City) and Highland Film Group’s Arianne Fraser, Delphine Perrier, JJ Caruth and Caleb Ward all exec producing.
“Bryan Lord and Dallas Jackson have pulled together an incredible cast of household names that will take audiences on an edge of their seat ride.” said, Caruth, President of Domestic Marketing and Distribution for The Avenue. “The System is just the kind of high quality, high octane film today’s audiences love and we are thrilled to be championing this exciting work at The Avenue.”
Jackson added, “What an exciting and surreal production making this very important genre movie! Such an amazing experience with my stellar cast of Tyrese, Jeremy, and Terrence along with the perfect partner in Highland Films. I think The System has a chance to not only shift the culture here in the states but entertain action fans around the world!”
Caruth and Caleb Ward, VP of Acquisitions, negotiated the acquisition deal with Producer Bryan Lord at SkullCrusher Films.
Gibson, also a renowned musician who has also appeared in the Transformers franchise and Columbia Pictures’ Baby Boy, as well as upcoming Marvel installation, Morbius, is represented by Jim Osborne and Kris Heller at APA.
Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated actor Howard, best further known for his performances in Paramount Classics’ Hustle & Flow, six seasons of Fox’s “Empire” and Relativity Media’s Triumph, is represented by Mira Pak Howard at Universal Bridges.
Piven is the winner of three Emmy awards and two Golden Globe awards for his role as ‘Ari Gold’ in the HBO series “Entourage”, and co-star of British/PBS television drama series “Mr Selfridge”, Jon Cusack-led 90s action comedy classic Grosse Pointe Blank and other hit thrillers like Black Hawk Down, The Kingdom, Heat, Rock N Rolla, Smokin’ Aces and Runaway Jury. He is represented by Tracy Christian at TCA Mgmt, Mark Holder at Wonder Street and attorney Patti Felker.
Hip hop artist Yachty recently starred in MTV’s How High 2, and played himself in Lionsgate’s Long Shot alongside Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron. He is represented by J.R. Ringer at ICM Partners.
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