Anthony Mackieis nearing a deal to star inPoint Blank, a new Netflix movie that will reunite him with his fellow MCU co-starFrank Grillo, multiple sources tell Collider.
Joe Lynch(Mayhem) is directing from a script byAdam G. Simon(Man Down), andJoe Carnahanis producing with Grillo via their War Party banner, along with French giant Gaumont. The film will be an action-packed remake ofFred Cavayé’s 2010 crime dramaPoint Blank (A bout portant). Production is slated to start this summer at a more than reasonable budget of around $12 million.
Mackie will play a nurse who’s forced to spring a wounded murder suspect from the hospital when the man’s brother kidnaps his pregnant wife and wants to make a trade. Grillo will play the wounded man who needs Mackie to keep him alive long enough to make the exchange. As you might imagine, dirty cops factor into the equation.
So yes, Falcon is teaming up with Crossbones and a couple of above-average Joes, and I kind of love it. Mackie is actually rather undervalued as a leading man, as not only do the Marvel fans love him (a not insignificant number of people), but he has a lot of cred as a dramatic actor as well. Tonight’s the NBA Draft, so I’ll allow myself this comparison – but if I were to compare Mackie to a basketball player, I’d pickMagic Johnson, because he always elevates everyone around him. Look at his incredible work inHalf NelsonandThe Hurt Locker, two films that earned Oscar nominations for his co-stars,Ryan GoslingandJeremy Renner. I’m just saying, I don’t think Mackie gets the respect he deserves as a leading man, so good on Netflix for recognizing his ability. Mackie next stars oppositeGina Rodriguezin Sony’s remake ofMiss Bala, and he also stars inThe Hate U Give. He’s also producing and starring in theJohnnie CochranmovieSignal Hill. He’s represented by UTA and Inspire Entertainment.
Meanwhile, Grillo has carved out a real niche for himself as grizzled badass, and Netflix scored a critical hit with last year’s Grillo-led action movieWheelman(89 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), so it makes sense that the streaming service would want to jump back into business with him.
Grillo recently wrapped Carnahan’s next movieBoss Level, and he’s back with hisThePurge: Election YeardirectorJames DeMonacofor Blumhouse’sOnce Upon a Time in Staten Island. He’s also has theBruce WillismovieReprisaland a pair of films withJames Badge Daleon the horizon. He’s repped by WME and Management 360.
Lynch is coming off of the well-reviewed indieMayhemstarringSteven Yeun, and he also directed the hell out of the 2014Salma Hayekaction movieEverly. He’s repped by Paradigm and Anonymous Content.
Simon wrote theShia LaBeoufdramaMan Downand has an onscreen role in Carnahan’sBoss Level. He also wrote Carnahan’s remake ofThe Raidthat Grillo was once going to star in.
