News

French sales agency Elle Driver is giving a Cannes Market launch to “Kid Snow,” a West Australian-produced tale of redemption set in the 1970s world of tent boxing. Production starts on Monday in Australia’s Goldfields-Esperance region, making it the first feature film to kick off production in the state since its border re-opened.

Boxing tents toured Australia’s small towns from the early 1900s until the 1970s, and were venues where professional fighters faced off against local challengers. The troupes criss-crossed the outback, boasted a carnival-like atmosphere and were places where Indigenous fighters could become heroes.

Penned by writers John Brumpton and Stephen Cleary, the story involves a washed-up Irish boxer named Kid Snow who is finally given a chance to redeem himself when he is offered a rematch against the man he fought a decade prior, on a night that changed his life forever. When Kid Snow meets single mother Sunny,...

“Orange is the New Black’s” Uzo Aduba and Meynon Media’s Dan DeNicola have boarded Marianne Farley’s “Frimas” as executive producers, Variety can reveal.

The live action short, which stars Karine Gonthier-Hyndman (“Patrick Senécal présente”) and Chantal Baril (“White Skin”), tells the story of Kara, who turns to an illegal mobile abortion clinic when she finds herself pregnant in a country where abortion is banned with devastating consequences.

Farley (pictured above right), whose live action short ‘Marguerite’ was nominated for an Academy Award, also wrote the screenplay.

Emmy and SAG-winning Aduba (pictured above left) is best known for her roles in “Orange is the New Black,” “In Treatment” and “Mrs America” alongside Cate Blanchett. “Frimas” marks her debut behind the camera. Earlier this year she launched a production company, Meynon Media, signing a multi-year producing deal with CBS Studios.

She is also set to EP STX film “National Champions,...

Multiple Emmy Award-winners Uzo Aduba and Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) have been cast in Second Stage Theater’s upcoming Broadway production of Lynn Nottage’s new play Clyde’s, along with Reza Salazar (Sweat) and Kara Young (Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven).

Second Stage announced the casting today, with a fifth role remaining to be cast.

Directed by Kate Whoriskey, Clyde’s will begin previews Wednesday, Nov. 3, with an official opening on Monday, Nov. 22, at Second Stage’s Broadway home, The Hayes Theater.

Second Stage describes the new play as “a stirring and funny new play from two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and her frequent collaborator, director Kate Whoriskey,” set in a truck stop sandwich shop where a formerly incarcerated kitchen staff has a shot at redemption.

Aduba will play Clyde, the shop’s callous owner who...

In his 80 years, Meyer Lansky worked alongside the most notorious gangsters in American history. He spearheaded a worldwide gambling racket and allegedly had quite a few people murdered for getting in the way of his business. Lansky even worked with the U.S. Navy during World War II, protecting the ships in New York Harbor from spies and and sabotage.

No one can deny that Lansky led a fascinating life, even after watching Eytan Rockaway’s tedious biopic “Lansky,” which has more in common with a book report than an actual book. Writer-director Rockaway (“The Abandoned”) hits all the major bullet points in the gangster’s life but ignores almost all the connective tissue that would make this outline of intriguing anecdotes really come alive.

“Lansky” stars Harvey Keitel as the aging mobster, living out his last remaining years in Florida, dying of lung cancer well after the rest of his criminal contemporaries have been buried.

Exclusive: Eros STX’s Stephan James and J.K. Simmons sports drama National Champions is expanding its thespian team roster with Uzo Aduba, Alexander Ludwig, Andrew Bachelor, David Koechner, Tim Blake Nelson, and Timothy Olyphant.

Based on Adam Mervis’ play of the same name which he’s also adapting, National Champions explores the big business of college sports and tells the story of a star quarterback (James) ignites a player’s strike 72 hours before the biggest game of the year to fight for fair compensation, equality, and respect for the athletes who put their bodies and health on the line for their schools.

Aduba will play Katherine, the outside counsel to the NCAA in the Ric Roman Waugh-directed feature. Ludwig will play Emmett, a tight end who joins forces with James’ character as they fight for fair compensation of college athletes just days before the biggest game of the year.

Uzo Aduba has signed a multi-year producing deal with CBS Studios, Variety has confirmed.

Under the deal, she will star in and executive produce a new drama series titled “Low Country” that is also executive produced by CBS favorites Robert and Michelle King. Dewayne Jones, who previously worked on the Kings’ shows “Evil” and “Your Honor,” will write and executive produce. The project is currently being taken out to premium cable networks and streamers.

In the series, Aduba plays Shirley Johnson, the least likely deputy sheriff in South Carolina’s low country. Black and openly gay in a white southern stronghold, Shirley has been underestimated her whole life until now, when she takes on the wealthy white crime family that has kept everyone in the grip of fear.

Aduba is best known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black.” The...

Exclusive: Three-time Emmy winner Uzo Aduba has signed a multi-year producing deal with CBS Studios.

Under the pact, Aduba is set to star in and executive produce Low Country, a drama executive produced by The Good Wife and Evil creators Robert and Michelle King. The high-profile project is expected to be taken out to the streaming and premium cable marketplace shortly. Aduba will also develop and produce other projects for the studio.

Written by Dewayne Jones, who has worked on two series executive produced by the Kings, Your Honor and Evil, Low Country stars Aduba as Shirley Johnson, the least likely deputy sheriff in South Carolina’s low country. Black and openly gay in a white southern stronghold, Shirley has been underestimated her whole life until now, when she takes on the wealthy white crime family that has kept everyone in the grip of fear.

Jones and Aduba executive produce alongside Robert King,...

Shake the cobwebs from your long weekend because we have a blu-ray giveaway for you to enter.    With the passing of the theatrical run of Aaron Harvey's action flick Into the Ashes it is now time to focus on the physical media release. Screen Anarchy has three (3) blu-ray copies of Into the Ashes to give away this week to lucky readers in the U.S.    With an honest job and a loving wife, Nick Brenner believed he had safely escaped his violent, criminal history. But his old crew hasn't forgotten about him or the money he stole, and when they take what Nick now values the most - his wife - he has nothing left to lose. Confronted by the town sheriff, who...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Indulging in the need for revenge can lead otherwise reformed men down a truly life-altering path. That’s certainly the case for the protagonist and antagonist played by Luke Grimes and Frank Grillo, respectively, in the crime drama, ‘Into the Ashes.’ Rlje Films is set to distribute the action-thriller on DVD and Blu-ray this Tuesday, September […]

The post Luke Grimes and Frank Grillo Seek Revenge For the Past in Into the Ashes DVD Giveaway appeared first on Shockya.com.

Aaron Harvey’s visually interesting, but ultimately lethargic, Western-noir “Into the Ashes” attempts to synthesize brooding character study with a violent action film, but instead, ends up falling short of being a quality example of either. Favoring large sections of silence before violent outbursts, Harvey’s latest directorial effort has style but is bogged down by thin characterization and a by-the-numbers plot that the film never manages to transcend.

“Into the Ashes” follows reformed criminal Nick (Luke Grimes), who is trying to live a simple life with a job at an upholstery store and a loving wife (Marguerite Moreau).

Continue reading ‘Into The Ashes’ Is A Stylish Revenge Thriller That Relies Too Heavily On Genre Conventions [Review] at The Playlist.

Working tirelessly for over 25 years as an actor, Frank Grillo didn’t catch his stride in Hollywood until his turn as Brenden Conlon’s (Joel Edgerton) no-nonsense trainer, Frank Campana, in 2011’s “Warrior.” A flurry of substantive roles followed in noteworthy films such as “The Grey,” “End of Watch,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “The Purge: Anarchy,” “The Purge: Election Year,”and ‘Wolf Warrior 2,” China’s highest-grossing film and the biggest in history outside of Hollywood.

Continue reading Frank Grillo Discusses His New Indie Thriller ‘Into The Ashes’ & Reuniting With Fellow Marvel Alum Anthony Mackie In ‘Point Blank’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

Vertigo Releasing has launched the first trailer for Adrian Noble’s biopic of artist L.S. Lowry, ‘Mrs Lowry and Son’.

The film depicts the relationship between L.S. Lowry, one of Britain’s most iconic artists, and his mother Elizabeth, with whom he lived until her death. Spall plays Lowry and Redgrave his overbearing mother.

Directed by Adrian Noble, and starring Academy Award® and Golden Globe® winner Vanessa Redgrave and BAFTA® Nominee Timothy Spall.

Also in trailers – Revenge is best served cold in trailer for ‘Into The Ashes’

The film is released in the UK August 30th.

Mrs Lowry & Son Synopsis

The film follows Lowry in the beginnings of his career, as he yearns for his work to be appreciated in London. However, his disdainful mother, Elizabeth actively tries to dissuade her bachelor son from pursuing his artistic ambitions. Elizabeth never fails to voice her opinion at what a disappointment he is to her.

Rlje Films has released a new trailer for action-thriller ‘Into The Ashes’ starring Luke Grimes and the man who seems to be everywhere right now, Frank Grillo.

Starring Grillo, Luke Grimes, Robert Taylor, and James Badge Dale it follows a man who comes back home to his house in rural Alabama to find that his loving wife has been murdered by one of his former criminal associates.

Also in trailers – 1985 brings a whole new kind of horror in final trailer for season 3 of ‘Stranger Things’

The film hits Us Theaters, VOD & Digital HD July 19th.

Into The Ashes Synopsis

With an honest job and a loving wife, Nick Brenner believed he had safely escaped his violent, criminal history. But his old crew hasn’t forgotten about him or the money he stole, and when they take what Nick now values the most – his wife – he has nothing left to lose.

Frank Grillo (Avengers: Endgame) and Joe Carnahan’s (The Grey) production company Warparty has struck a partnership with Shanghai-based financier Starlight Entertainment Group.

The “far-reaching strategic partnership” is to develop and produce global content with a focus on elevated genre features and it comes as Warparty looks to expand its output. Financial details of the pact were not disclosed. For Starlight, this is the latest tie-up with a Hollywood player after previous deals with James Wan, Roland Emmerich, F. Gary Gray, Sylvester Stallone and Robert Zemeckis. Film investments include Crazy Rich Asians, Midway and The Widow. “The opportunity to partner with Starlight and their incredibly talented group of producers and directors has given Warparty the opportunity to take our brand and style of filmmaking to China and the rest of the world in a way we could only dream about”, said actor-producer Grillo. Director-producer Carnahan added, “I can’t express...

Frank Grillo and Joe Carnahan’s production company Warparty is partnering with China’s Starlight Entertainment Group for a first look deal, the company announced on Friday.

The duo enters far-reaching strategic partnership to develop and produce material for the worldwide marketplace.

“The opportunity to partner with Starlight and their incredibly talented group of producers and directors has given Warparty the opportunity to take our brand and style of filmmaking to China and the rest of the world in a way we could only dream about,” Grillo said in a statement.

Also Read: Frank Grillo on Future Marvel, 'Purge' Movies: 'I Think I'm Done'

“I can’t express my gratitude enough to Peter and Nancy and everyone at Starlight and Er Dong,” Carnahan said. “Being able to partner with these wonderful people has been a dream come true. These past few years have proven what a global force the Chinese...

If there’s a Frank Grillo fan club out there, I’d like to join it. Over the last several years, the actor has proven to be one of the best “tough guy” actors on the planet, with performances in films like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (and briefly in ‘Civil War’), “Donnybrook,” “The Purge: Anarchy” (I’ll defend this film till the bitter end), and “The Grey.” Now, thanks to Netflix and one of his Marvel co-stars, Grillo is getting high profile gig he deserves in the film “Point Blank.”

Read More: ‘Into The Ashes’ Exclusive Trailer & Poster: Frank Grillo & James Badge Dale Star In This Hard-Boiled Crime Thriller

As seen in the trailer for “Point Blank,” Netflix is bringing back the old ‘80s and ‘90s action-revenge film in a big way.

Continue reading ‘Point Blank’ Trailer: Anthony Mackie & Frank Grillo Recall The Action Films Of Yore With Their Latest Collab at The Playlist.

"A man can only see so much darkness before he goes blind..." Rlje Films has released an official trailer for an indie crime thriller titled Into The Ashes, the latest from filmmaker Aaron Harvey. Described as reminiscent of "hard-boiled action/thrillers from the '70s/'80s", Into The Ashes is about an ex-con trying to settle down in rural Alabama who believes he has escaped his violent past, only to find his old crew hasn’t forgotten about him or the money he stole. And they don't want to let him get away. Sounds a lot like every other gritty rural crime thriller, and it looks like every other one, too. Starring Luke Grimes as Nick, along with Frank Grillo, Marguerite Moreau, Robert Taylor, James Badge Dale, Brady Smith, Andrea Frankle, Rob Mello, Scott Peat, David Maldonado, David Cade, and Jeff Pope. The best part of this is Grillo...

Frank Grillo has slowly been building a strong filmography, with roles in films like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “The Grey,” “Warrior,” and the underrated “The Purge: Anarchy.” And this is a damn shame because the man is easily one of the best parts of each of those films. Recently, Grillo starred in “Donnybrook” (which did the festival circuit before being released in select theaters this year) and was a standout in a film that is one of our Best of 2019…So Far.

Continue reading ‘Into The Ashes’ Exclusive Trailer & Poster: Frank Grillo & James Badge Dale Star In This Hard-Boiled Crime Thriller at The Playlist.

In today’s film news roundup, “Super Pets” has moved back to 2022, “Into the Ashes” gets bought and veteran executive David Gale has a new gig.

Release Date

Warner Bros. has pushed back the release of “DC Super Pets” back a year, avoiding opening against “John Wick 4.”

The studio announced Wednesday that “Super Pets” would be moved from May 21, 2021 to May 22, 2022. Lionsgate had announced earlier this week that it would open “John Wick 4” on the 2021 date following its highly successful opening weekend for “John Wick: Chapter 3.”

“Super Pets,” based on the Cartoon Network shorts, is directed by Jared Stern and Sam Levine with Patty Hicks as the producer. The characters include Ace the Bat-Hound, Krypto the Super-Dog, and Streaky the Super-Cat.

Acquisition

Rlje Films has acquired the action-thriller “Into the Ashes,” starring Luke Grimes, Robert Taylor, James Badge Dale and Frank Grillo.

“Ashes,” written and directed by Aaron Harvey, will...

Rlje Films has secured the distribution rights to Aaron Harvey’s action-thriller Into The Ashes, which will get a day-and-date release July 19. The cast includes Luke Grimes (Yellowstone), Robert Taylor (Longmire), James Badge Dale (13 Hours), and Frank Grillo (Captain America). The plot centers on Nick Brenner who, with an honest job and a loving wife, believed he had safely escaped his violent, criminal history. But his old crew hasn’t forgotten about him or the money he stole, and when they take what Nick now values the most – his wife – he has nothing left to lose. Confronted by the town sheriff, who is also his father-in-law, Nick must decide if he will stay on his new path or indulge in his need for revenge and force his enemies to pay for what they have done. Harvey produced the pic with Robert Ogden Barnum, Eric Binns, Daniel Blanc, Jamin O’Brien,...

Rlje Films has nabbed action-thriller Into the Ashes, which stars Luke Grimes, Longmire star Robert Taylor, James Badge Dale and Frank Grillo.

Written and directed by Aaron Harvey, the film is set for a theatrical and on-demand release from July 19. Into the Ashes features Grimes playing Nick Brenner, an ex-con who believes he has escaped his violent past, only to find his old crew hasn’t forgotten about him or the money he stole.

When his wife is taken from him, Brenner has nothing left to lose. Confronted by the town sheriff (Taylor), who is also his father-in-law, he must decide ...

Rlje Films has nabbed action-thriller Into the Ashes, which stars Luke Grimes, Longmire star Robert Taylor, James Badge Dale and Frank Grillo.

Written and directed by Aaron Harvey, the film is set for a theatrical and on-demand release from July 19. Into the Ashes features Grimes playing Nick Brenner, an ex-con who believes he has escaped his violent past, only to find his old crew hasn’t forgotten about him or the money he stole.

When his wife is taken from him, Brenner has nothing left to lose. Confronted by the town sheriff (Taylor), who is also his father-in-law, he must decide ...

Exclusive: Frank Grillo, who has appeared in super-successful film franchises such as Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War as well as The Purge pics, has signed with Wme for representation in all areas.

In addition to starring in the aforementioned comic book blockbuster and the popular Blumhouse horror movies, Grillo recently appeared in Wolf Warrior II which earned $874 million, making it the second highest-grossing film of all-time at the Chinese box office. On the TV side, Grillo appeared in Mma drama Kingdom on the Audience Network.

Grillo worked with filmmaker Joe Carnahan to launched WarParty Films. Their debut film Wheelman was produced by and starred Grillo and was released on Netflix last year. They will partner with Xyz Films on reimagining of the hit Indonesian action film, The Raid which Grillo will star and produce. Other titles on their slate include sci-fi thriller Boss Level starring Grillo, Mel Gibson and...

Exclusive: Nadine de Barros and Rob Ogden Barnum’s Fortitude International has come aboard world sales on thriller Into The Ashes. Written and directed by Aaron Harvey, the film stars Frank Grillo, Luke Grimes, James Badge Dale and Robert Taylor. Jamin O'Brien and Daniel Blanc for The Film Community and Barnum and Eric Binns will produce, as will Grillo via his and Joe Carnahan’s WarParty. Sales kick off here at the Efm. The picture is currently shooting in Alabama…...

Into the Ashes: Frank Grillo (Captain America: Civil War; The Purge: Election Year, above) will star in Into the Ashes. Luke Grimes (American Sniper) and Robert Taylor (TV's Longmire) have also joined the cast of the crime thriller; Aaron Harvey wrote the script and will direct. Grimes will play an ex-con who is still adjusting to life outside prison when his past comes back to haunt him; Grillo's role sounds menacing, as he will portray someone "who threatens to pull [the lead character's] world apart." [Deadline]   Shazam!: Veteran actor Ron Cephas Jones (above), known for TV's This Is Us, is in talks to join the cast of Shazam! If things work out, he would play a character known as the Wizard; in the DC comic books, the Wizard grants power...

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Exclusive: Frank Grillo, Luke Grimes and Longmire star Robert Taylor will star in Into the Ashes, a crime thriller written and to be directed by Aaron Harvey. They join James Badge Dale and David Cade in the pic, which is now set to begin shooting next week in Alabama. Jamin O'Brien and Daniel Blanc for The Film Community and Robert Ogden Barnum and Eric Binns will produce, as will Grillo via his and Joe Carnahan’s WarParty. The pic centers on Nick (Grimes), an ex-con…...