Tag: Miramax

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Jake Gyllenhaal In Negotiations To Join The Next Guy Ritchie Movie That Begins Shooting By End Of 2021

Director Guy Ritchie post-Aladdin has been hyper-focusing on a bunch of his own movies at Miramax, despite being loosely attached to helm an Aladdin sequel for Disney, he’s been spending more time putting together his own projects to avoid having to do the sequel.

His recent run includes the release of the Matthew McConaughey gangster pic The Gentlemen (being developed into a television series) and Jason Statham’s armored truck thriller Wrath of Man (a remake of the 2004 French film Le Convoyeur). Ritchie recently wrapped on a big globetrotting spy project, Operation Fortune (previously called Five Eyes), that stars folks such as Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, and Hugh Grant.

Deadline reports of a mysterious new film from Guy Ritchie at Miramax that will begin before the end of the year with American actor Jake Gyllenhaal in negotiations to take a lead role.

A title and plot details are unknown but given that casting is ramping up we’ll likely learn concrete information soon.

It’s a shocking development given that Ritchie had been developing a World War II action drama for Paramount Pictures, based on the novel The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Damien Lewis. Focusing on the first unit of British black ops commandos.

Previous drafts of the script were penned by Arash Amel, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson.

When France fell to the Nazis in 1940, Churchill declared that Britain would resist the advance of the German army–alone if necessary. Churchill commanded the Special Operations Executive to secretly develop of a very special kind of military unit that would operate on their own initiative deep behind enemy lines. The units would be licensed to kill, fully deniable by the British government, and a ruthless force to meet the advancing Germans. The very first of these “butcher-and-bolt” units–the innocuously named Maid Honour Force–was led by Gus March-Phillipps, a wild British eccentric of high birth, and an aristocratic, handsome, and bloodthirsty young Danish warrior, Anders Lassen. Amped up on amphetamines, these assorted renegades and sociopaths undertook the very first of Churchill’s special operations–a top-secret, high-stakes mission to seize Nazi shipping in the far-distant port of Fernando Po, in West Africa.

Jake Gyllenhaal has been lining up a wave of genre pics including the war drama Combat Control and Image Comics movie Prophet with Extraction director Sam Hargrave involved with both projects. He’s also attached to star alongside actress Jessica Chastain in Netflix’s film adaptation of the video game The Division with Rawson Marshall Thurber (replacing David Leitch) directing, the graphic novel thriller Snow Blind from director Gustav Möller (The Guilty), and sci-fi film based on the Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) comic Oblivion Song.

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre will officially hit theaters on January 21 and a trailer is likely coming within weeks.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News, News

Guy Ritchie’s Spy Thriller ‘Operation Fortune’ Starring Jason Statham Releases On January 21

British director Guy Ritchie has been returning to his roots making more adult-focused action films with the gangster flick The Gentlemen and the thriller Wrath of Man, the latter seeing the filmmaker reunited with action star Jason Statham.

Statham and Ritchie shot a new spy movie last year during the pandemic and we have a huge update. Miramax has officially announced Five Eyes has been given the new title of Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre and will be released in theaters on January 21, 2022.

Operation Fortune was written by Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies.

The feature follows MI6 guns-and-steel agent (Statham) who 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, 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 cast also consists of Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elewes, Josh Hartnett, Hugh Grant, Peter Ferdinado, and rapper Bugzy Malone. Ritchie reunited with Wrath of Man/The Gentlemen crew members such as cinematographer Alan Stewart and production designer Martyn John.

We have to assume that Miramax is hoping Operation Fortune is the start of a franchise.

Jason Statham is about to begin shooting the next Expendables installment for Millennium Films and is attached to a new thriller, The Bee Keeper, for Miramax.

Guy Ritchie is currently developing a new WWII film at Paramount Pictures with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. An action pic that focuses on the first British commando unit. The script has previous drafts were penned by Arash Amel, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson. There is an expectation that Ministry could be next, if that comes together sooner rather than later.

Honestly, it seems like Ritchie is doing everything he can to avoid make Aladdin 2, which he’s been attached to for years now.

https://twitter.com/fortunemovie/status/1442884960633823235
Posted on in Film News, News

Jason Statham Reuniting With Miramax For Thriller ‘The Bee Keeper’ Penned By ‘Equilibrium’s Kurt Wimmer

After working with Miramax on Guy Ritchie’s action flicks Wrath of Man and Five Eyes (will be re-titled at some point), Deadline reports the British action star has signed-on to produce and star in a new thriller, The Bee Keeper.

The spec project hails from screenwriter Kurt Wimmer (Street Kings, Sphere, Law Abiding Citizen), who of recent times has been mostly involved with remakes/reboots with stuff like Total Recall, Point Break, Children of The Corn, and the Pierce Bronsan flick The Thomas Crown Affair.

“The Bee Keeper explores universal themes with an unconventional story that will have fans sitting on the edge of their seats. We’re excited to bring another iconic and irresistible film to audiences around the globe,” said Miramax CEO Bill Block.

Filming is said to begin September 2022 in both Atlanta and London.

A director isn’t named, but Wimmer was behind the wild dystopian sci-fi action film Equilibrium that starred a pre-Batman Christian Bale and created a fantastic oddball martial art using guns.

EQUILIBRIUM – In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Clerick John Preston (Christian Bale) is a top-ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist these rules. When he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the one capable of overthrowing it.

It’s actually a really neat action movie and sadly his other directing effort Ultraviolet was just a huge mess potentially leading to him to stick with screenwriting until his new Children of The Corn movie.

Statham is expected to shoot an Expendables spinoff called Christmas Story this fall, according to Sly Stallone. There are also expectations he’ll return for the gestating Hobbs & Shaw sequel and may land a role in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming WWII movie Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

Guy Ritchie & Jason Statham Action-Thriller ‘Wrath of Man’ Takes ‘Black Widow’s Former Release Date In May

Director Guy Ritchie had shot a English remake of the 2004 French film Le Convoyeur that has been re-titled as Wrath of Man, the film would be his first reunion with action star Jason Statham since the pair worked together on the long-forgotten thriller Revolver that was released back in 2005. The action-thriller also stars Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice, Sicario), Josh Harnett (Penny Dreadful, Pearl Harbor), Scott Eastwood (Fury, Fate of The Furious), Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), Niamh Algar (Raised By Wolves), Laz Alonso (Avatar), and rapper Post Malone.

We finally know when to expect a release date for Wrath of Man.

There is word from Deadline that the MGM and Miramax flick has swooped-in to take the vacated May 7-9 weekend release spot after Black Widow was moved by Disney to July 9.

Wrath of Man, written by Ritchie and Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, follows a mysterious and wild-eyed new cash truck security guard (Statham) who surprises his co-workers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.

Despite a May release, the studio has yet to reveal a first-look trailer for the Guy Ritchie flick and there are plans to release one on Monday. Below is a teaser poster for the film.

Statham and Ritchie are currently re-teaming for the international spy flick formerly known as Five Eyes. Guy is also trying to develop a series based on his film The Gentlemen and will make a WWII movie about the first British special forces unit.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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Hugh Grant & Josh Hartnett Reuniting With Guy Ritchie For His Spy Thriller ‘Five Eyes’

Deadline has two new additions to the cast of Guy Ritchie‘s spy thriller formerly known as Five Eyes as Josh Hartnett is set for a role and Hugh Grant reportedly is also in talks. The pair of actors joining a cast that consists of Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elewes, and rapper Bugzy Malone.

The feature follows MI6 guns-and-steel agent (Statham) who 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, 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. 

Josh recently worked with Guy and Jason on the armored car action flick Wrath of Man based on the 2004 French film Le Convoyeur. Hugh Grant working with Ritchie on The Gentlemen and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. previously.

Filming is said to be underway in Qatar and will eventually move to Turkey.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

Guy Ritchie Confirmed To Reunite With ‘The Gentlemen’ Cinematographer Alan Stewart For MI6 Thriller ‘Five Eyes’ – Stars Jason Statham & Aubrey Plaza

The Ronin has been able to confirm that director Guy Ritchie will be reuniting with cinematographer Alan Stewart for his upcoming spy thriller formerly titled Five Eyes. Stewart has previously worked on Ritchie’s Aladdin, The Gentlemen, and his other upcoming Jason Statham action project Wrath of Man.

Jason Statham and Aubrey Plaza are attached for the lead roles with more casting news on the horizon. Filming is expected to begin sometime next year in Europe, hopefully, once the pandemic is a little more manageable as London is currently under a new lockdown and European countries not allowing entry from the United Kingdom.

The story follows MI6 guns-and-steel agent (Statham) who is 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 Fives Eyes is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, which was founded back in 1941. This should give you an idea of the nationalities of the other characters in the film.

We previously revealed Ritchie would also working with Wrath of Man production designer Martyn Johns on the action pic.

Guy is developing a television series for Miramax based on The Gentlemen and has been attached to direct Aladdin 2 for Disney.

Posted on in Film News

Guy Ritchie Reuniting With ‘Wrath of Man’ Production Designer For MI6 Thriller ‘Five Eyes’ Starring Jason Statham

The Ronin has been able to confirm that director Guy Ritchie has hired production designer Martyn John for his upcoming spy action movie Five Eyes starring Jason Statham for STXfilms and Miramax. Guy and Martyn had previously worked on his armored car action film Wrath of Man (formerly Cash Truck) which is a remake of the French film Le Convoyeur from 2004 and is expected to be released on January 15th, 2021.

Five Eyes was penned by The Gentlemen screenwriters Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies with rewrites from Guy. 

MI6 guns-and-steel agent Orson Fortune (Statham) is recruited by global intelligence alliance Five Eyes to track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology that threatens to disrupt the world order. Reluctantly paired with a 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.

Five Eyes aka FVEY is a real intelligence alliance that consists of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Filming on Five Eyes is expected to begin next month in Europe.

Ritchie previously tackled the spy genre with The Man From U.N.C.L.E., a feature film adaptation of the classic television series. 

The director is also said to be attached for Disney’s Aladdin sequel. 

Posted on in Film News

‘The Batman’ Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin To Direct Android Uprising Flick ‘Mother/ Android’ Starring Chloe Grace Moretz – Matt Reeves To Produce

The Hollywood Reporter has learned that screenwriter Mattson Tomlin will be making his feature film directorial debut with an original science fiction thriller titled Mother/ Android for Miramax that has Chloe Grace Mortez attached to star as lead character Georgia. 

Tomlin also penned the film. 

Chloe Grace Moretz is set to star in the Miramax project as Georgia who, with her boyfriend Sam, goes on a treacherous journey to escape their country, which is caught in an unexpected war with artificial intelligence. Days away from the arrival of their first child, the couple must face No Man’s Land— a stronghold of the android uprising, in hopes of reaching safety before giving birth.

Matt Reeves, who directed Chloe in the horror remake Let Me In and co-wrote The Batman with Tomlin will be producing the project via his production company 6th & Idaho. 

Tomlin was behind the recent Netflix film Project Power and is also currently working on a Mega Man film. 

The young actress had been previously rumored for the lead role in Len Wiseman’s John Wick spinoff Ballerina but has yet to be confirmed. 

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

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Guy Ritchie Returns To Spy Genre With MI6 Thriller ‘Five Eyes’ Starring Jason Statham – Begins Shooting Next Month

Fresh news coming out of the virtual Toronto Film Festival market as Miramax and STXfilms has landed the next film director Guy Ritchie (Aladdin, The Gentlemen) as they aim to begin shooting next month in Europe. 

Guy will return to the spy genre after making The Man From U.N.C.L.E. with a new thriller titled Five Eyes, that will star Jason Statham as MI6 Agent Orson Fortune. 

Below is a synopsis of the film that was penned by The Gentlemen screenwriters Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies with some rewrites from Guy. 

MI6 guns-and-steel agent Orson Fortune (Statham) is recruited by global intelligence alliance Five Eyes to track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology that threatens to disrupt the world order. Reluctantly paired with a 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.

There should be some casting news in the coming weeks. 

Ritchie and Statham recently had a reunion on the thriller Cash Truck for Miramax, an English remake of the French heist film Le Convouyer that was shot in London and Los Angeles. The pair had previously worked together on Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and the misstep Revolver. The latter was the last time the two had done a film together before coming together for Cash Truck. 

The Gentlemen was Ritchie’s grand return to more mature filmmaking after making movies like Sherlock Holmes and Disney’s Aladdin, which was a good effort but a far cry from his best work like Snatch. I’m looking forward to seeing how Cash Truck (possibly retitled for release) pans-out and if he’ll attempt to focus on more action-driven films moving forward. 

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 

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Jon Hamm To Lead ‘Fletch’ Reboot From ‘Superbad’ Director Greg Mottola

It has been announced today via Variety that Miramax is moving forward with a reboot of the Chevy Chase comedy Fletch with Mad Men actor Jon Hamm taking over the titular role.

Greg Mottola is set to direct with a script from Zev Borrow based on the novel Confess, Fletch by Gregory Mcdonald.

In a mysterious chain of events, Fletch finds himself in the middle of multiple murders — one of which pins him as a prime suspect. While on a quest to prove his innocence, Fletch is tasked with finding his fiancée’s stolen art collection, acquired after her father goes missing and is presumed dead.

Chevy Chase previously played the role in Fletch from 1985 and Fletch Lives in 1989.

FLETCH – A veritable chameleon, investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher might drive his editor up the wall, but he always produces great pieces for the newspaper. When his next story is about the drug trade taking place on the beach, Fletch goes undercover as a homeless man. Unaware of Fletch’s true identity, businessman Alan Stanwyk offers Fletch $50,000 to kill him. Intrigued, Fletch decides to unearth the full story behind the offer.

Mottola is best known for directing Superbad, Paul, and Adventureland.

It’ll be interesting how they’ll attempt to go with the new film since Hamm’s comedic chops have been used sparingly in the past.

SOURCE: VARIETY