Tag Archives: Guy Ritchie

Lionsgate Acquires Domestic Rights to Eiza Gonzalez’s World War II Film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

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Eiza González is bringing the warfare to the United States…

Lionsgate has picked up the domestic distribution rights to Guy Ritchie’s World War II film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring the 33-year-old Mexican actress/singer.

Eiza GonzálezIn addition to Gonzalez, the film also stars Henry Cavill, Henry Golding, Alex Pettyfer and Cary Elwes, among others.

The studio is targeting a 2024 wide theatrical release.

Prime Video has secured most of the international rights for the film, distributing across Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, India and pan-Asian pay TV.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is billed as an “outrageous true story” about U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s and James Bond author Ian Fleming’s secret WWII combat organization.

As per a synopsis, “this clandestine squad’s unconventional and entirely ‘ungentlemanly’ fighting techniques against the Nazis significantly changed the course of the war and gave birth to the modern Black Ops unit.”

Principal photography begins on Monday in Turkey. Acknowledging the devastating earthquake that has ravaged parts of the country, Ritchie and the producers noted that the shoot will take place “several hundred miles from the epicenter” of the disaster.

“We do so with profound sympathy for everyone affected,” said Ritchie in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the members of our crew with family in the region. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the people of Turkey. We stand by them and are committed to supporting members of our production team and the wider community over the coming weeks and months.”

The film’s script is from Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, Arash Amel and Ritchie, and based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ best-selling book of the same name. Tamasy and Johnson initiated the project and sold it as a pitch to Bruckheimer and Paramount in 2015.

Jerry Bruckheimer will produce alongside Chad Oman, Ritchie’s producing partner Ivan Atkinson, and John Friedberg for Black Bear International.

Nacho Vigalondo Casts Henry Golding as Lead in His Upcoming Sci-Fi Romance “Daniela Forever”

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Nacho Vigalondo has found his star…

Henry Golding will star in the sci-fi romance Daniela Forever, a new film from the Spanish filmmaker.

Nacho VigalondoXYZ is financing the film and launching for sales at the EFM.

Daniela Forever, which is set to shoot in Madrid, Spain, this spring/summer, will see Golding play a man struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of his girlfriend in an accident six months prior. So, he signs up for a sleep trial that allows him to reconstruct his life with her through the use of lucid dreams.

Nahikari Ipiña and Nacho Vigalondo are producing at Sayaka Producciones, along with Benoit Roland at Wrong Men, Leire Apellaniz at Señor y Señora, and XYZ Films.

“This movie is built around a deeply human character trapped in twisted plot, something Henry Golding is so perfect for this almost feels unreal,” said Vigalondo. “I’m enthusiastic about the team gathered around this project, and I hope the story delivers everything I want to say about love, dreams and Madrid.”

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this project. Nacho and Henry are a dream fit for what promises to be an unforgettable film,” said XYZ.

Golding just wrapped filming Netflix’s Old Guard 2 opposite Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman, and played a lead role in thriller Assassin Club for Paramount. Next up he is re-teaming with Guy Ritchie in the WW2 pic Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Nacho Vigalondo is best known for Timecrimes, Extraterrestrial and Colossal starring Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis.

Kaya Scodalerio Joins Cast of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix Series “The Gentlemen”

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Kaya Scodalerio has entered into a Gentelmen’s agreement

The 30-year-old half-Brazilian actress has joined the cast of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, inspired by Ritchie’s 2019 Miramax film.

Kaya ScodelarioScodalerio is among a list of new cast additions that includes Vinnie Jones, Giancarlo Esposito, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson and Peter Serafinowicz.

The eight-part drama series follows Eddie Halstead (James), who has inherited his father’s sizeable estate only to discover that it’s sitting on top of a weed empire owned by the legendary Mickey Pearson. Has this straight-up soldier got what it takes to master the dark arts of the British criminal underworld and take control of the entire operation?

Scodalerio will play Susie Glass, the yin to Eddie Halstead’s (Theo James) yang who oversees Mickey Pearson’s drug business; Jones will play Geoff Seacombe, the groundskeeper of the estate; Ings will play Freddy Halstead, Eddie’s older sibling who owes dangerous people a debt; Richardson will play Lady Sabrina, Eddie and Freddy’s mother.

Ritchie is at the helm of the production, serving as creator, co-writer and executive producer and will direct the first two episodes. Matthew Read will co-write The Gentlemen with Ritchie.

“The world of The Gentlemen is a little bit of me,” Ritchie said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that with Netflix, Miramax and Moonage we have this opportunity to inhabit it once again. We’re looking forward to bringing fans back into that world, introducing new characters and their stories and I am excited to be doing it with this extremely talented cast.”

Production begins November 7 in London on the series set in the world of the 2019 film but not starring the original characters.

“The Gentlemen marks a proud moment for Miramax Television,” said the head of global television at Miramax TV. “We are thrilled to partner with the always brilliant Guy Ritchie as he directs his unique cinematic lens towards television for the very first time.  We are excited to partner with Netflix and Moonage in bringing Guy’s distinctive creative vision to a global audience.”

Scodelario’s previous credits include Spinning Out, the Maze Runner film series, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Eiza González to Star in the World War II Action Spy Film “The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

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The spy’s the limit for Eiza González…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star in the World War II action spy film The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Eiza GonzálezGonzalez will star opposite Henry Cavill in the film from Guy Ritchie and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Ritchie will direct the project as his next film, with filming expected to begin in Turkey in January.

The film, inspired by real events, will chart United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s and James Bond scribe Ian Fleming’s secret WWII combat organization. The clandestine squad’s unconventional and entirely ‘ungentlemanly’ fighting techniques against the Nazis helped change the course of the war and in part gave birth to the modern Black Ops unit.

The project was initially in development at Paramount through Bruckheimer’s first look deal, but the studio will not be distributing the film. Black Bear is reportedly in active discussions regarding U.S. distribution and international deals.

The script, by Ritchie and Arash Amel, is based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ popular book of the same name.

González, who most recently seen in Michael Bay’s Ambulance, will play a military sniper with extraordinary spy-craft abilities.

She will next be see in Netflix’s sci-fi film The Three Body Problem and Scott Z Burns’ Extrapolations for Apple TV+.

Andy Garcia to Star in Netflix’s “The Pain Hustlers”

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Andy Garcia is hustlin’…

The 66-year-old Cuban actor has joined the cast of David Yates’ Netflix film The Pain Hustlers.

Andy GarciaGarcia will star opposite Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’Hara, Jay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James and Chloe Coleman.

The film billed as tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street follows Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liza lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive then catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.

Netflix acquired global rights to the film written by Wells Tower for $50M out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Garcia is an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee whose recent film credits include Warner Bros. and HBO Max’s Father of the Bride; Guy Ritchie’s actioner Wrath of Man; the comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, with Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo and Jamie Dornan; the romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls, with Charlie Plummer and Taylor Russell; Clint Eastwood’s crime drama, The Mule; Sacha Gervasi’s Emmy-nominated TV movie My Dinner with Hervé for HBO; Ol Parker’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again; and the comedy Book Club, with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen.

The actor’s credits on the television side include Rebel, Flipped and Ballers.

He’ll next be seen in the romantic drama What About Love with Sharon Stone, Lionsgate’s The Expendables 4 and Focus Features’ Book Club 2: The Next Chapter, among other projects.

Andy Garcia to Star in the Courtroom Drama “Miranda’s Victim”

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Andy Garcia is heading to court…

The 66-year-old Cuban actor will star in the courtroom drama Miranda’s Victim from director Michelle Danner, with production on the project underway in New Jersey.

Andy GarciaGarcia will star opposite Abigail Breslin, Luke Wilson and Donald Sutherland  in the film, which is written by J. Craig Stiles and George Kolber.

The film will tell the true story of Trish Weir (Breslin), who in 1963 was kidnapped and brutally raped by Ernesto Miranda. Committed to putting her assailant in prison, Trish’s life is destroyed by America’s legal system as she triggers a law that transforms the nation.

Wilson will play Lawrence Turoff, the country prosecutor that convinces Trish to testify and helps her bring her aggressor to justice, with Garcia as public defender Alvin Moore, who takes on Miranda’s case, and Sutherland as Judge Wren, who convicts Miranda for the rape of Weir.

Danner and Kolber are producing alongside Valerie Debler, Brian Drillinger and Alexandra Guarnieri.

The production company involved is Navesink River Productions.

“The first time I read George Kolber’s riveting script and learned about Trish’s experience, it moved and inspired me,” said Danner. “”Miranda’s Victim” puts us at the intersection between a brutal rape case and and a national movement for civil liberties.”

Garcia is an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee whose recent film credits include Guy Ritchie’s Jason Statham actioner Wrath of Man; the comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, with Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo and Jamie Dornan; the romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls, with Charlie Plummer and Taylor Russell; Clint Eastwood’s crime drama, The Mule; Sacha Gervasi’s Emmy-nominated TV movie My Dinner with Hervé for HBO; Ol Parker’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again; and the comedy Book Club, with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen.

The actor’s credits on the television side include Rebel, Flipped and Ballers.

He’ll next be seen in Warner Bros. and HBO Max’s Father of the Bride; the romantic drama What About Love, with Sharon Stone; and Lionsgate’s The Expendables 4.

Aubrey Plaza to Star in the Second Season of HBO’s Dark Comedy “The White Lotus”

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Things are in full bloom for Aubrey Plaza…

The 37-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/comedian will star as a lead in the second installment of HBO’s dark comedy series The White Lotus.

Aubrey PlazaPlaza, the Parks & Recreation and Legion alum, will be a series regular.

She is the second confirmed cast member for the upcoming follow-up to Mike White’s breakout social satire limited series, joining previously cast Michael Imperioli.

The six-part original series followed visitors vacationing at the White Lotus, an exclusive Hawaiian resort. The second installment — also written, to directed by and executive produced by White — will leave Hawaii behind for a new location and is expected to follow a different group of vacationers at another White Lotus property.

Plaza will play Harper Spiller, a woman on vacation with her husband and his friends. Imperioli plays Dominic Di Grasso, a man traveling with his elderly father and recent college-graduate son.

Of the original cast, standout Jennifer Coolidge has been rumored to be returning. White executive produces alongside David Bernad and Mark Kamine.

Plaza will next be seen starring in Guy Ritchie’s Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre opposite Jason Statham, Hugh Grant and Josh Hartnett.

Additionally, she stars in and produced Emily the Criminal, which will premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. On television, Plaza is starring in and producing the upcoming Hulu drama series Olga Dies Dreaming, which is based on the novel by Xochitl Gonzalez.

Most recently, Plaza starred opposite Michael Caine in Best Sellers, which premiered at the 2021 Berlin Film Festival.

She won the 2021 Imagen Award for Best Actress for Black Bear and the 2018 Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for producing Ingrid Goes West.

Aubrey Plaza to Star Opposite Jason Statham in Guy Ritchie’s Next Thriller

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Aubrey Plaza is ready to thrill…

The 36-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress will star in Guy Ritchie’s untitled thriller film, which began shooting in Doha, Qatar, this week.

Aubrey Plaza

Plaza stars opposite British rapper Bugzy Malone, Jason Statham and Cary Elwes in the project, which will also shoot in Antalya, Turkey.

The film reunites Ritchie with Statham, marking their second film together for Miramax following Wrath of Man.

“Guy and Jason have repeatedly impressed audiences with their collaborations, and we’re looking forward to bringing this production to the city of Doha, Qatar, a growing market in the entertainment and media space,” said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of Miramax-owner beIN Media Group.

“This film marks our third collaboration with Ritchie, adding to our expanding list of nearly 20 projects having been released or currently in production since beIN’s acquisition of Miramax – a testament to our continued success achieving the target goals we set forth for the studio’s evolution while remaining committed to prioritizing investments in innovative and culturally relevant films.”

In the film, MI6 guns-and-steel agent Orson Fortune (Statham) is recruited by a global intelligence agency to track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology that threatens to disrupt the world order. Reluctantly paired with CIA high-tech expert Sarah Fidel, Fortune sets off on a globe-trotting mission where he will have to use his charm, ingenuity and stealth to track down and infiltrate billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds.

Ritchie will direct and produce from a screenplay written by Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies.

STX will distribute directly in the U.S., UK and Ireland.

Plaza’s previous film credits include Happiest Season, Ingrid Goes West and Dirty Grandpa.

Aubrey Plaza to Star Opposite Jason Statham in Guy Ritchie’s Next Thriller

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High five to Aubrey Plaza!

The 36-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/comedian is set to star Jason Statham in the Guy Ritchie untitled thriller formally known as Five Eyes. Miramax is producing and financing with STX handling distribution.

Aubrey Plaza

The story follows MI6 guns-and-steel agent (Statham) who’s recruited by a global intelligence alliance to track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology that threatens to disrupt the world order. Reluctantly paired with CIA high-tech expert, Fortune sets off on a globe-trotting mission where he will have to use all of his charm, ingenuity and stealth to track down and infiltrate billionaire arms broker.

 

The film will be produced Bill Block for Miramax, which is also fully financing the film.

Ritchie will direct and produce from a screenplay written by The Gentlemen scribes Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies with revisions by Ritchie.

The news comes after Plaza’s scene-stealing role in the romantic comedy Happiest Season, which earned her critical acclaim and a massive amount of praise across social media.

She can be seen next in Lawrence Levine’s Black Bear on December 4th.  The film premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and garnered Plaza rave reviews for her performance.

She recently recently wrapped production on Lina Roessler’s Best Sellers starring opposite Michael Caine. Plaza most recently received critical acclaim for her role in Ingrid Goes West, which she produced and won the 2018 Independent Spirit Award for “Best First Feature.” Additionally, she recently starred in Noah Hawley’s television series, Legion on FX.