Black Bear International already has one buzzy film at the Cannes market this year with “Shell,” a thriller starring Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, and Kaia Gerber. Now they also have likely the biggest-budget project for sale on the Croisette this year with a new Guy Ritchie actioner that has Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González attached to star.
But wait: another new Guy Richie movie? Yes, indeed. The director is on an all-time tear right now, and he wants to keep it going with this yet-to-be-titled feature. Ritchie pens an original script about two extraction experts who need to chisel out an escape plan for a high-level female negotiator; given the three stars, who will play who here is obvious.
The upcoming actioner marks a rapid reteam between Ritchie and all three stars. González and Cavill only just wrapped shooting “The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare“ with Ritchie earlier this year, while Gyllenhaal stars in “The Covenant,” Ritchie’s war film that hit theaters last month. Cavill also worked with Ritchie on 2015’s “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” So, obviously all three actors love working with Ritchie, because otherwise why would they sign on so quickly to a new film that plans to shoot in Spain this summer?
Ritchie said as much in a quote attached to the project’s announcement. “There’s something special that happens when you collaborate with the same partners regularly,” said the director. “You build a shorthand and a trust that lets everybody do their best work. Jake, Henry and Eiza are all astonishingly talented, committed, and engaging actors. This is going to be an action-packed movie that is both intellectually stimulating and physically exhilarating.”
As stated earlier, Ritchie pens the movie’s original screenplay, as usual for the filmmaker. Ritchie also produces the film alongside regular partner Ivan Atkinson and Black Bear’s John Friedberg, who also co-produced Ritchie’s last two movies.
Cavill adds the new Ritchie pic to his bevy of upcoming projects, which includes Matthew Vaughn‘s “Argylle,” Chad Stahelski‘s ‘Highlander” remake for Lionsgate, and his “Warhammer” series for Amazon. Meanwhile, Gyllenhaal has Doug Liman‘s “Road House” remake for Amazon on the way. He currently stars in the Apple TV+ drama “Presumed Innocent.” Gyllenhaal last worked with González on Michael Bay‘s “Ambulance.” González’s upcoming work includes Netflix‘s “Three Body Problem” and “Ungentlemanly Warfare” with Cavill. That film should hit theaters in early 2024.
This new project potentially makes 7 movies in five years for Guy Ritchie, not counting “Aladdin 2“ and the live-action “Hercules” remake he’s also attached to. Love him or hate him, Ritchie’s work ethic is enviable. Expect more news on this project (and a title for it) as it approaches production this summer.
