Exclusive: Fledgling La film production and distribution outfit Forrest Films is gearing up on mixed martial arts movie drama Mickey Kelley, which will star Sean Patrick Flanery (Powder), Katrina Bowden (30 Rock) and Dennis Quaid (The Day After Tomorrow) alongside Mma fighters Renzo Gracie, Edson Barboza, and Mickey Gall.
Set in 1990, the film follows Mickey Kelley (Flanery), one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned Mma tournament, where his dreams of providing for his family come to a halt with a split-second decision. His life goes off the rails until years later he gets a shot at redemption.
Alex Ranarivelo (American Wrestler) will direct the pic, currently in pre-production. Flanery and Alex Ranarivelo teamed to co-write the screenplay, from a story Flanery created.
Supporting cast includes Maurice Compte (Narcos), Reno Wilson (Transformers) and Currie Graham (Pompeii). Ali Afshar...
Set in 1990, the film follows Mickey Kelley (Flanery), one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned Mma tournament, where his dreams of providing for his family come to a halt with a split-second decision. His life goes off the rails until years later he gets a shot at redemption.
Alex Ranarivelo (American Wrestler) will direct the pic, currently in pre-production. Flanery and Alex Ranarivelo teamed to co-write the screenplay, from a story Flanery created.
Supporting cast includes Maurice Compte (Narcos), Reno Wilson (Transformers) and Currie Graham (Pompeii). Ali Afshar...
- 7/16/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Roster includes Motocross drama Bennett’s War.
Radiant Films International has kicked off talks on a pair of titles with Us theatrical deals in place – Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges action drama The Ride, and Bennett’s War.
The Ride recounts the life of Glaswegian pro BMX rider and author John Buultjens, who grew up with an abusive father and wanted to ride ever since he watched E.T.
When he was adopted by foster parents, Buultjens received a bicycle on his tenth birthday and a lifelong love affair began. He moved to Australia and eventually California, where he became the global...
Radiant Films International has kicked off talks on a pair of titles with Us theatrical deals in place – Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges action drama The Ride, and Bennett’s War.
The Ride recounts the life of Glaswegian pro BMX rider and author John Buultjens, who grew up with an abusive father and wanted to ride ever since he watched E.T.
When he was adopted by foster parents, Buultjens received a bicycle on his tenth birthday and a lifelong love affair began. He moved to Australia and eventually California, where he became the global...
- 5/16/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Forrest Films, the Warner Bros-based distribution and production company launched by Ali Afshar and Forrest Lucas, has hired former WB executive Lori Drazen as well as Liz Deutsch and Bryce Campbell, both of whom were previously executives at Open Road, for newly carved out marketing positions. Drazen will serve as Forrest’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Deutsch assumes the role of Senior Vice President of In-Theater Marketing and Promotions, while Campbell has been tapped as Svp of Operations.
All three new hires will report to Forrest’s President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy.
Drazen joins the Forrest time after having spent 20 years at WB where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Theatrical Marketing and Worldwide Advertising Services. Drazen has also worked with independent production and distribution entities as the Executive Vice President of Marketing, as well as Deluxe Advertising and creative advertising agencies.
All three new hires will report to Forrest’s President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy.
Drazen joins the Forrest time after having spent 20 years at WB where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Theatrical Marketing and Worldwide Advertising Services. Drazen has also worked with independent production and distribution entities as the Executive Vice President of Marketing, as well as Deluxe Advertising and creative advertising agencies.
- 4/23/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
That fleet of white Rolls-Royces shuttling between Caesars Palace and the Bellagio during CinemaCon?
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
- 4/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
That fleet of white Rolls-Royces shuttling between Caesars Palace and the Bellagio during CinemaCon?
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
- 4/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: U.S. distributor-producer Forrest Films, based on the Warner Bros. lot, has promoted producer-actress Christina Moore (Claws) to Vice President of Development and Production and Ava Rettke (Ride) to Director of Development and Production. The duo were previously at Esx Entertainment, which folded into Forrest last year.
Forrest has also signed veteran producer Hadeel Reda to an overall production deal following their collaboration on the movies Ride starring rapper Ludacris and American Wrestler, which was released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Forrest and Reda plan to produce three movies together over the next two years.
Former Disney International exec Reda has run Purple Pictures since 2004. Her executive producer credits include 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis, Heartbreakers with Sigourney Weaver and Scorched with Woody Harrelson. She will work closely with Forrest Films President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy, on international distribution.
Forrest, which is fronted by Lucas Oil founder...
Forrest has also signed veteran producer Hadeel Reda to an overall production deal following their collaboration on the movies Ride starring rapper Ludacris and American Wrestler, which was released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Forrest and Reda plan to produce three movies together over the next two years.
Former Disney International exec Reda has run Purple Pictures since 2004. Her executive producer credits include 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis, Heartbreakers with Sigourney Weaver and Scorched with Woody Harrelson. She will work closely with Forrest Films President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy, on international distribution.
Forrest, which is fronted by Lucas Oil founder...
- 2/7/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Reese Witherspoon is collaborating with MGM, Jonathan Nolan gets an honor for visual effects, canine comedy “Patrick” finds a home and Forrest Films launches as a distributor.
Studio Attachment
Reese Witherspoon is teaming with MGM to produce a movie version of Gail Honeyman’s bestselling novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.”
Witherspoon and Lauren Levy Neustadter will produce for their Hello Sunshine production company, which picked up the rights last year. The book is the winner of the 2018 Costa Debut Novel Award and is told from the point of the protagonist, a socially awkward 29-year-old in Glasgow, Scotland, with suppressed memories of a brutal childhood. The adaptation is being written by Liz Hannah, who wrote Steven Spielberg’s “The Post.”
“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” is a potential star vehicle for Witherspoon but no deal has been signed and no director is attached. Witherspoon...
Studio Attachment
Reese Witherspoon is teaming with MGM to produce a movie version of Gail Honeyman’s bestselling novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.”
Witherspoon and Lauren Levy Neustadter will produce for their Hello Sunshine production company, which picked up the rights last year. The book is the winner of the 2018 Costa Debut Novel Award and is told from the point of the protagonist, a socially awkward 29-year-old in Glasgow, Scotland, with suppressed memories of a brutal childhood. The adaptation is being written by Liz Hannah, who wrote Steven Spielberg’s “The Post.”
“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” is a potential star vehicle for Witherspoon but no deal has been signed and no director is attached. Witherspoon...
- 12/20/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The ranks of theatrical distributors will grow by one in 2019 with the establishment of Forrest Films, a venture fronted by Lucas Oil founder Forrest Lucas and race car driver-turned-actor/producer Ali Afshar.
Forrest will be based on the Warner Bros lot and plans to release seven “high-end, commercial films telling inspiring and purpose driven stories” in its first year of operations.
Scott Kennedy, a veteran of Open Road Films, Miramax and MGM, has been tapped as president of worldwide marketing and distribution. As head of operations and distribution for Open Road, Kennedy handled the rollouts of films like Spotlight, Chef and End of Watch. Open Road went into bankruptcy and was bought in November by Raven Capital Management.
The new company will absorb Esx Productions, the production and financing banner established in 2015 by Lucas and Afshar. Actress and producer Christina Moore, who has produced seven films with Afshar and Lucas,...
Forrest will be based on the Warner Bros lot and plans to release seven “high-end, commercial films telling inspiring and purpose driven stories” in its first year of operations.
Scott Kennedy, a veteran of Open Road Films, Miramax and MGM, has been tapped as president of worldwide marketing and distribution. As head of operations and distribution for Open Road, Kennedy handled the rollouts of films like Spotlight, Chef and End of Watch. Open Road went into bankruptcy and was bought in November by Raven Capital Management.
The new company will absorb Esx Productions, the production and financing banner established in 2015 by Lucas and Afshar. Actress and producer Christina Moore, who has produced seven films with Afshar and Lucas,...
- 12/19/2018
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Open Road executive Scott Kennedy to oversee seven-film 2019 release slate.
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
- 12/19/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Former Open Road executive Scott Kennedy to oversee seven-film 2019 release slate.
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
- 12/19/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Actor/rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges has landed a starring role in the action/drama “Ride.” The project is the latest film from Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar’s Esx Entertainment, and is based on the inspiring true story of BMX champion John Buultjens, a young… Continue Reading →...
- 10/26/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Exclusive: Fast & Furious regular and rap star Chris “Ludacris” Bridges has been tapped to star in BMX, an inspirational action drama based on the true story of BMX rider John Buultjens. Alex Ranarivelo (Running Wild, Praying For Rain) is directing the film from a script he co-wrote with Hadeel Reda, Jean-Marie Sobeck and Jack Reher. Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar’s Esx Entertainment are producing in their latest collaboration with the director. Shane Graham (Boyhood) stars…...
- 10/26/2016
- Deadline
Exclusive: Mimi Steinbauer and her team will introduce buyers in Cannes to the coming-of-age film starring William Fichtner, Jon Voight, Gabriel Basso, Lia Marie Johnson and newcomer George Kosturos.
Alex Ranarivelo directed American Wrestler: The Wizard, which will screen in the Cannes market on May 17 and recently premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Brian Rudnick wrote the screenplay inspired by true events of high school wrestling champion Ali Afshar, who is featured in the film and is a producer alongside Hadeel Reda.
Forrest Lucas and Protect The Harvest serve as executive producers and Ashley Michaelsen is a co-producer.
Kosturos stars as Afshar, an outcast teenage immigrant sent to live with his uncle in the small Northern California town of Petaluma where he joins the floundering high school wrestling team.
He teams up with the inspiring coach and leads the team to success.
“It’s amazing what young kids can do when they put their minds to it,” said...
Alex Ranarivelo directed American Wrestler: The Wizard, which will screen in the Cannes market on May 17 and recently premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Brian Rudnick wrote the screenplay inspired by true events of high school wrestling champion Ali Afshar, who is featured in the film and is a producer alongside Hadeel Reda.
Forrest Lucas and Protect The Harvest serve as executive producers and Ashley Michaelsen is a co-producer.
Kosturos stars as Afshar, an outcast teenage immigrant sent to live with his uncle in the small Northern California town of Petaluma where he joins the floundering high school wrestling team.
He teams up with the inspiring coach and leads the team to success.
“It’s amazing what young kids can do when they put their minds to it,” said...
- 5/5/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Entourage alum Kevin Dillon and newcomer DeRon Horton have been cast as the leads in Dirt, a drama from director Alex Ranarivelo. Forrest Lucas is financing the film and will produce alongside his Esx Entertainment partner Ali Afshar. Dirt centers on Dez Truss (Horton), a 17-year-old who is caught boosting cars for an auto-theft ring and is given one last chance to set his life straight by a compassionate mentor. He introduces the kid to Rick Radden (Dillon), a…...
- 5/4/2016
- Deadline
Jason Lewis (Sex and the City) has taken the lead male role opposite Dorian Brown in Running Wild, from Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar's newly launched Esx Entertainment. The film follows Stella Davis (Brown), a widow who saves her ranch by working with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses that wandered on to her property. Stella must fight prejudice, greed, bureaucracy and vanity – including her own – to finally understand that there is no better remedy to…...
- 8/21/2015
- Deadline
Sometimes creativity comes from the most unexpected of collaborations, and a new example of this is Running Wild – a drama that is about to commence shooting with Sharon Stone newly signed on to star. The production is among the first for Esx Entertainment, which is a partnership between actor and producer Ali Afshar (The Wrong Side Of Right), and oil magnate Forrest Lucas, of Lucas Oil.
The female-led story sees the widowed Stella Davis work with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses, and save her ranch. The morality tale will see Stella battle bigotry and corruption, and will feature Sharon Stone in the role of Meredith – essentially the villain of the piece. Directed by frequent Afshar collaborator Alex Ranarivelo (the Born To Race video franchise), with a script by veteran TV actress and first-time writer Christina Moore and Brian Rudnick (Not Quite An Angel), Running Wild is, for all intents and purposes,...
The female-led story sees the widowed Stella Davis work with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses, and save her ranch. The morality tale will see Stella battle bigotry and corruption, and will feature Sharon Stone in the role of Meredith – essentially the villain of the piece. Directed by frequent Afshar collaborator Alex Ranarivelo (the Born To Race video franchise), with a script by veteran TV actress and first-time writer Christina Moore and Brian Rudnick (Not Quite An Angel), Running Wild is, for all intents and purposes,...
- 8/19/2015
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
The star has joined the drama from Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar’s recently launched Esx Entertainment. Separately, Ving Rhames is on board Alcon’s comedy Bastards.
Alex Ranarivelo will direct Running Wild from a screenplay by Christina Moore and Brian Rudnick about a widow who saves her ranch by working with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses that wandered on to her property.
Principal photography is scheduled to start this week in Napa, California. Stone will play the antagonist.
Esx Entertainment finances and produces the project and Lucas and Afshar serve as producers. Moore is co-producer.
Ving Rhames has joined Ed Helms, Owen Wilson, Jk Simmons and former NFL star Terry Bradshaw in the comedy Bastards, which marks the feature directorial debut of cinematographer Lawrence Sher from The Hangover films and will shoot in Atlanta and Miami in September. Warner Bros will distribute in the Us.
Alex Ranarivelo will direct Running Wild from a screenplay by Christina Moore and Brian Rudnick about a widow who saves her ranch by working with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses that wandered on to her property.
Principal photography is scheduled to start this week in Napa, California. Stone will play the antagonist.
Esx Entertainment finances and produces the project and Lucas and Afshar serve as producers. Moore is co-producer.
Ving Rhames has joined Ed Helms, Owen Wilson, Jk Simmons and former NFL star Terry Bradshaw in the comedy Bastards, which marks the feature directorial debut of cinematographer Lawrence Sher from The Hangover films and will shoot in Atlanta and Miami in September. Warner Bros will distribute in the Us.
- 8/18/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Sharon Stone is set to star in Running Wild, a drama from Esx Entertainment, the newly launched outfit from Lucas Oil head Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar. Alex Ranarivelo is directing the film, from a script by Christina Moore and Brian Rudnick. Principal photography begins this week in Napa, CA. The pic centers on Stella Davis, a widow who saves her ranch by working with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses that wandered on to her property. She must fight…...
- 8/18/2015
- Deadline
Director Alex Ranarivelo has signed on to helm the drama Running Wild, for Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar's newly launched Esx Entertainment. The film follows a widowed ranch owner who works with ex convicts to rehabilitate the wild horses that wander onto her property. In doing so she saves her ranch, but must confront prejudice, greed, vanity and bureaucracy while learning that helping other living creatures is a great remedy for misfortune. Running Wild is tied to…...
- 7/29/2015
- Deadline
Several in the works projects have secured some directors.
"Hitman: Agent 47" director Aleksander Bach is set to helm the alien invasion tale "Revoc" for Summit Entertainment and Mandeville Films/TV. Joe Robert Cole penned the script for the grounded sci-fi epic, but plot details are being kept under wraps. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing.
Next up, Alex Ranarivelo has signed on to direct the drama "Running Wild" for Esx Entertainment. Brian Rudnick penned the script while Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar will produce and filming begins mid-August in California's Napa Valley.
The story follows a widowed ranch owner who works with ex convicts to rehabilitate the wild horses that wander onto her property. In doing so she saves her ranch, but must confront prejudice, greed, vanity and bureaucracy.
After that comes word that "It Follows" director David Robert Mitchell will next be tackling an untitled project which...
"Hitman: Agent 47" director Aleksander Bach is set to helm the alien invasion tale "Revoc" for Summit Entertainment and Mandeville Films/TV. Joe Robert Cole penned the script for the grounded sci-fi epic, but plot details are being kept under wraps. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing.
Next up, Alex Ranarivelo has signed on to direct the drama "Running Wild" for Esx Entertainment. Brian Rudnick penned the script while Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar will produce and filming begins mid-August in California's Napa Valley.
The story follows a widowed ranch owner who works with ex convicts to rehabilitate the wild horses that wander onto her property. In doing so she saves her ranch, but must confront prejudice, greed, vanity and bureaucracy.
After that comes word that "It Follows" director David Robert Mitchell will next be tackling an untitled project which...
- 7/29/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar of newly launched Esx Entertainment made the announcement on Wednesday.
Ranarivelo will direct from a script by Brian Rudnick and principal photography is scheduled to begin mid-August in Napa, California.
Running Wild tells of a widow who saves her ranch by working with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses that wandered on to her property.
The project is in line with the company’s mantra of telling inspirational stories that support the American way of life and the American Dream tied to Lucas’ non-profit Protect the Harvest.
Esx Entertainment finance and produces and Lucas and Afshar serve as producers.
Ranarivelo will direct from a script by Brian Rudnick and principal photography is scheduled to begin mid-August in Napa, California.
Running Wild tells of a widow who saves her ranch by working with convicts to rehabilitate a herd of wild horses that wandered on to her property.
The project is in line with the company’s mantra of telling inspirational stories that support the American way of life and the American Dream tied to Lucas’ non-profit Protect the Harvest.
Esx Entertainment finance and produces and Lucas and Afshar serve as producers.
- 7/29/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Los Angeles was the host to the Esx Entertainment special screening of “The Wrong Side of Right.” The film premiered Tuesday at Hollywood’s Tcl Chinese 6 Theatres. In attendance were several of the film’s stars, including Lea Thompson, Allison Paige, Christina Moore and Jayson Blair, Brandon Eaton and Annabelle Kavanaugh, as well as director Alex Ranarivelo, producer/actor Ali Afshar, and the man who’s the basis for the film, Daniel Christensen. Other guests included Missi Pyle, John Ducey, Lucas Oil Porducts’ Forrest Lucas and Charlotte Lucas, Jeff Probst, fashion designer Ashley Michaelsen, Caitlin O’Connor, Alice Aoki, radio personality Trent Loos and Caitlyn Carver. Take a look at a gallery of photos [ Read More ]
The post Stars Come Out to Support Special Screening of Suspense Drama The Wrong Side of Right appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Stars Come Out to Support Special Screening of Suspense Drama The Wrong Side of Right appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 7/15/2015
- by monique
- ShockYa
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