Vertical Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Morena Baccarin’s Action Thriller “Fast Charlie”

Morena Baccarin’s latest project will be heading into U.S. theaters…

Vertical has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the action thriller Fast Charlie, starring the 44-year-old Brazilian actress and James Caan in his final film, ahead of its October 7th world premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Morena BaccarinCaan died in Los Angeles in July 2022, aged 82, following a decorated career of six decades.

The film also stars Pierce Brosnan.

Specifics as to release plans for his last project, based on the 2001 novel Gun Monkeys, haven’t been disclosed.

Brosnan’s character in the film, financed by Ashland Hill, is Charlie Swift, aka “Fast Charlie,” the consummate fixer with a problem: the target he’s just whacked is missing his head. Unfortunately, the only way for him to get paid is to prove it’s the intended target to the man who paid for the hit — New Orleans’ most ruthless mobster, Beggar Mercado (Gbenga Akinnagbe). Charlie looks to do so by enlisting the help of Marcie Kramer (Baccarin), the victim’s ex-wife and a woman with the backbone and skillset he desperately needs. Dragging Marcie back into a past she was determined to escape sends the pair on a wild and unpredictable odyssey, and throughout their escapades, they fight to protect the legacy of Charlie’s best friend and mentor, Stan Mullen (Caan), while bringing down Beggar and his entire operation.

Phillip Noyce directed from a script by Richard Wenk, with Toby Huss and Sharon Gless rounding out the cast.

Said producer Daniel Grodnik of the film, “Richard Wenk’s adaptation of Victor Gischler’s thriller novel, Gun Monkeys, coupled with Phillip Noyce’s keen direction, brings us into a fast-paced world where loyalty, commitment, and doing what’s right still matter. The relationship between Pierce Brosnan and Morena Baccarin is as surprising for them as it is for the audience which makes for a lot of fun.”

In discussing the film’s appeal, Vertical partner Peter Jarowey stated that “Phillip has delivered a crisp, swift thriller with heart that showcases Brosnan and Baccarin’s chemistry delivering performances that seamlessly flow between action, thrills and drama with a good measure of humor weaved throughout to give audiences an exceptionally satisfying experience.”

Netflix Releases Trailer for Tessa Thompson’s Black & White Drama “Passing”

Tessa Thompson is passing the time…

Netflix has released the official trailer for Rebecca Hall’s period drama Passing, starring the 37-year-old Afro-Panamanian actress and producer and Ruth Negga.

Tessa Thompson, Passing

Hall, making her directorial debut, adapted the film from the 1929 novel by Nella Larson.

Netflix is preparing for the film’s New York Film Festival premiere on October 3, after which it will get a theatrical release followed by a debut on the streaming service on November 10.

The film, shot it black and white, tells the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Negga), who can “pass” as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in late 1920s New York.

After a chance encounter, Irene reluctantly allows Clare into her home, where she ingratiates herself to Irene’s husband (André Holland) and family, and soon her larger social circle as well. Irene soon finds her once-steady existence upended by Clare, and the story becomes one of obsession, repression and the lies people tell themselves and others to protect their carefully constructed realities.

Bill Camp, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy and Alexander Skarsgard also star in the film, which is produced by Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker, Margot Hand and Hall.

Netflix competed in a field of five bidders to win rights to Passing in a $15 million deal during the Sundance Film Festival.

Its release is timed to the now-underway movie awards season.

Marquis Rodriguez to Star on Season Two of Amazon’s Anthology Series “Modern Love”

Marquis Rodriguez has found a new love

The Latino actor has been cast in Season 2 of Amazon’s anthology series Modern Love.

Marquis Rodriguez

In addition to Rodriguez, Season 2 of the series will feature episodes starring: Minnie Driver, as previously announced, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Susan Blackwell, Lucy Boynton, Tom Burke, Zoe Chao, Maria Dizzia, newcomer Grace Edwards, Dominique Fishback, Kathryn Gallagher, Kit Harington, Garrett Hedlund, Telci Huynh, Nikki M. James, Aparna Nancherla, Larry Owens, Zane Pais, Anna Paquin, Isaac Powell, Ben Rappaport, Milan Ray, Jack Reynor, Miranda Richardson, James Scully, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Lulu Wilson, Don Wycherley, and Jeena Yi.

“We’re so excited to bring a second season of this series to life, and give an opportunity to really shine a light on what matters most,” said series showrunner John Carney. “With so much uncertainty in our current world, these stories bring truth and love to people everywhere, and I’m so appreciative to be a part of making that happen.”

Carney also serves as writer, director and executive producer. John Crowley, Marta Cunningham, Jesse Peretz, and Andrew Rannells will also direct episodes of this season, with Celine Held and Logan George co-directing an episode. The episode Rannells will direct is based upon a personal essay that he penned for the New York Times column.

The series is produced by Amazon Studios, Storied Media Group, Likely Story, and The New York Times.

Rodriguez’s previous credits include When They See Us, Chicago Fire and Definitely, Maybe.