Tag Archives: Justin Matthews

Lionsgate & Grindstone Entertainment Acquire Rights to “The Duel,” Starring Maria Gabriela de Faria

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Maria Gabriela de Faria’s latest project is going global.

Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment have acquired the rights to the comedy The Duel, starring the 31-year-old Venezuelan actress and singer, in North America, as well as all other English-speaking and Latin American territories.

María Gabriela de FaríaExecutive produced by and starring Dylan Sprouse, the film will hit theaters via Lionsgate and Iconic Releasing at the end of July.

In support of its release, a number of cast members will be in attendance this weekend at the Indy 500 parade, which will include a car and racing helmets themed to the film.

Those expected to attend include Sprouse, Hart Denton, de Faria, Rachel Matthews and Christian McGaffney.

Marking the directorial debut of Justin Matthews & Luke Spencer Roberts, the co-writers of Amazon’s Upgraded, who also penned the script, The Duel is about a modern friend group falling apart and the craziest way to deal with it: by bringing back dueling.

Also starring Callan McAuliffe, the film watches as his character Woody finds out his best friend Colin (Sprouse) has been sleeping with his girlfriend, challenging him thereafter to an old-school duel. Now ensnared in this bizarre situation, their friend group becomes entangled with an eccentric antique shop owner (Patrick Warburton) obsessed with the past, a cocaine dealer, and a pig, taking them across the border to a mysterious and stunning estate.

Denny Love and Ronald Guttman also star.

The film is produced by Zachary Spicer, Gordon Strain, Joe Matthews and Justin Matthews. Spicer’s Indiana based Pigasus Pictures produced all principal photography.

Stated Grindstone Entertainment CEO Barry Brooker, “This movie is crazy fun, unpredictable and hilarious. Moviegoers will love spending time with these characters in this extremely funny story.”

de Faria’s previous credits include The Moodys, Deadly Class and Vikki RPM.

Camila Mendes to Star in Gulfstream Pictures’ Romantic Comedy “Upgraded”

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Camila Mendes is preparing for an upgrade.

The 28-year-old Brazilian American actress and Riverdale star will star opposite Archie Renaux in Gulfstream Pictures’ romantic comedy Upgraded, from actor-director Carlson Young, which has entered production in the UK.

Camila MendesIn the film written by Christine Lenig, Justin Matthews & Luke Roberts, aspiring art intern Ana (Mendes) is invited on a last-minute work trip to London by her brilliant but intimidating super boss, meeting the handsome and wealthy William (Renaux) on the plane. Set in both London and New York City, the rom-com chronicles the trials and tribulations of balancing work, romance and following your dreams.

Developed in part by Mendes and Rachel Matthews, Upgraded is the third film financed by Gulfstream Pictures this year, following the Josephine Langford-led rom-com The Other Zoey and the motorcycle racing pic One Fast Move, starring KJ Apa, both of which are currently in post-production.

“We are thrilled to be working with the enormously talented Camila Mendes, Carlson Young and Archie Renaux, as they pull back the curtain on the art world in this fun and engaging romantic comedy,” said Gulfstream’s leaders.

Mendes is best known for her role as Veronica Lodge on The CW’s popular teen drama series Riverdale, based on characters from the Archie Comics, which returns for its seventh and final season next year.

Additional credits include Max Barbakow’s acclaimed sci-fi rom-com Palm Springs for Neon and Hulu, the rom-com The New Romantic with Jessica Barden, and the Netflix thriller Dangerous Lies.

The actress will next be seen starring alongside Maya Hawke and Sophie Turner in the Netflix comedy Do Revenge, slated for release on September 16, and has also been tapped to star opposite Rudy Mancuso in his rom-com Música for Amazon Studios and Wonderland Sound and Vision.