Starring
Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, Bruce Willis, Ryan Phillippe, Randy Couture,
Jenna Dewan Tatum, Brett Granstaff
Directed by Mike Gunther
An Original Screenplay Written by
Mike Gunther & Mike Behrman
Produced by
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Randall Emmett, George Furla
Co-produced by
Brandon Grimes
tells the story of a brotherhood between three good friends that turns into hate, betrayal, and death. As the city’s crime-lords struggle to find their money, two friends lose the most important thing they once had, their love and respect for one another. Money and power blinds them as they desperately seek to find peace. They are presented with two choices,but are left wondering if their chosen path will lead them to redemption.
Cheetah Vision Films, Emmett/Furla Films, and Action Jackson Films present starring Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Bruce Willis, Ryan Phillippe, Randy Couture, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Brett Granstaff; directed by Mike Gunther; produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Randall Emmettand George Furla; and executive produced by Richard Jackson, Frederick Malmberg, Daniel Wagner, Barry Brooker, Stan Wertlieb, Stephen Eads, Martin Blencowe and Ted Fox. The film’s co- producer is Brandon Grimes. Hannibal Pictures is the international sales agent.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Written by Mike Gunther & Mike Behrman, explores the lives of threegood friends, played by Jackson, Phillippe and Granstaff, who plan the diamond heist of their lives. The plot takes a dramatic turn when Phillippe’s character betrays his two best friends, killing one and leaving the other emotionally wounded.
was filmed in and around the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan during the bitter cold months of winter. However cold, the cast and crew worked diligently to complete the film flawlessly. “The cast was as great as can be”, says Gunther. “They were true to our story, workedtirelessly, and madefilming such a fun and exciting experience.”
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, world renowned rapper and one of the producers of the film, turned to his roots and served as its music director, further involving him in the film making process. “He was a true professional,” says Emmett. “He was involved with every aspect of the film, bringing in new, fresh perspective that further heightened the raw and visceralaspect of the film”.
“My deep involvement with the film, allowed me to live and breath each scene, each moment, making it a more rewarding experience,” says Jackson. “It was great to work with such an amazing cast. We formed a true brotherhood on set.”
Willis, who plays a mob lord in the film, had nothing but kind words to say of his co-star, Jackson,“Even though we played opposites in the film, he became a fast friend of mine, one I hope to work with again soon. I was very impressed by his acting ability, as we worked well together on set, reacting off of one another. I have the same respect for Ryan Phillippe and Randy Couture.”
Commenting on Phillippe, Gunther says “He played the part so truthfully, completely embodying the character and giving it his own unique twist. He’s a nice guy in real life, but played the bad guy role a little too well, I’m starting to wonder,” jokes Gunther.
The weather was tough to endure, but the film was shot seamlessly. The cast had to contend with a lot of chase scenes, fight scenes and lots of bullets and blood. The crew executed the special effects perfectly. With the help of the people of Grand Rapids, along with its sophisticated, yet small town warmth, on location shots were filmed realistically,giving a good taste of Michigan life.
“It’s a wrap,” says Jackson, on the final days of shooting. “It’s been a hell of a ride, but I’m ready to see the final product, I’m very excited. It’s always great to make movies that depict real life stories, ones we can all relate to one way or another. We all have hard choices to make, but don’t always know which way to go. I guess life is just a.
ABOUT THE CAST
CURTIS “50 CENT JACKSON(SONNY)began his film career with the critically acclaimed Home of the Brave, in which he co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson. He then went on to star with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Righteous Kill, followed by Joel Schumacher’s Twelve, and 13, Caught in the Crossfire, and Morning Glory. Soon to be released are Thing’s Fall Apart and Gun, which were produced by Jackson and Emmett’s Cheetah Vision Films. Born in the South Jamaica section of Queens, Jackson has lived in New York City all his life. Raised by his grandparents, his mother was shot when he was only eight. Growing up, the Queens rapper originally wanted to be a heavyweight boxer, but eventually fell back on rapping. DJs had taken it upon themselves to release two Best of 50 Cent mix CDs before he had even signed to a major label. 50 Cent hit the scene with How to Rob an Industry Nigga. Jackson has been on a rampage ever since. In 1999 his album Power of the Dollar, was heavily bootlegged and Trackmasters/Columbia never released it. Supposedly, Trackmasters weren't comfortable with him being caught up in the streets and getting shot three days before filming the video for Thug Love, (with Destiny's Child) -- his first single. Jackson was shot three times that night, two shots hitting him in the head, the bullet that struck his face he carries as a reminder of what happened. That event led to the fall out with Columbia and negotiating his release from their grasps. He still showed love and rhymed over a Trackmasters produced remix of I'm Gonna Be Alrighton J-Lo's2001album, but rivals at Murder Inc. had Jackson cut from that track, which could have launched the rapper. This all changed in one night when Eminem said on a radio show that "50 Cent is definitely my favorite rapper right now, he's the only one keeping it real." The very next day a bidding war started on 50 Cent, ending when he signed to Eminem's very own label Shady/Aftermath. 50 Cent's fame has exploded, being produced by Dr. Dre and Eminem and finally making his debut album Get rich or Die Tryin'. His most recent album Before I Self Destruct has been a smash success.
BRUCE WILLIS (BIGGS)has demonstrated incredible versatility in a career that has included such diverse characterizations as the prizefighter in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994 Palme D’Or winner at Cannes), the philandering contractor in Robert Benton’s Nobody’s Fool, the heroic time traveler in Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys, the traumatized Vietnam veteran in Norman Jewison’s In Country, the compassionate child psychologist in M. Night Shyamalan’s Oscar®-nominated The Sixth Sense (for which he won the People’s Choice Award®) and his signature role, Detective John McClane, in the Die Hardfilms. Following studies at Montclair State College’s prestigious theater program, the New Jersey native honed his craft in several stage plays and countless television commercials, before landing the leading role in Sam Shepard’s 1984 stage drama “Fool for Love,” a run which lasted for 100 performances off-Broadway. Willis next won international stardom and several acting awards, including Emmy® and Golden Globe® honors, for his starring role as private eye David Addison in the hit TV series Moonlighting, winning the role over 3,000 other contenders. At the same time, he made his motion picture debut opposite Kim Basinger in Blake Edwards’ romantic comedy Blind Date. In 1988, he originated the role of John McClane in the blockbuster film, Die Hard. He later reprised the character in three sequels-- Die Hard: Die Harder (1990), Die Hard: With A Vengeance (1995’s global box-office champ) and Live Free, Die Hard (one of the box-office hits of summer 2007). His wide array of film roles includes collaborations with such respected filmmakers as Michael Bay (Armageddon), M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable), Alan Rudolph (Mortal Thoughts, Breakfast of Champions), Walter Hill (Last Man Standing), Robert Benton (Billy Bathgate, Nobody’s Fool,), Rob Reiner (The Story of Us), Ed Zwick (The Siege), Luc Besson (The Fifth Element), Barry Levinson (Bandits, What Just Happened), Robert Zemeckis (Death Becomes Her) and Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Grind House) . Other motion picture credits include The Jackal, Mercury Rising, Hart’s War, The Whole Nine Yards (and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards), The Kid, Tears of the Sun, Hostage, 16 Blocks, Alpha Dog, Lucky Number Slevin and Perfect Stranger.He also voiced the character of the wise-cracking infant, Mikey, in Look Who’s Talking and Look Who’s Talking Too as well as the lead character RJ & Spike in the animated hit features Over the Hedge and Rugrats Go Wild! In 2010 Willis was seen on the big screen opposite Tracey Morgan in the Kevin Smith directed action/comedy feature Cop Out, in addition to the Golden Globe® nominated feature film RED opposite Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich, and will soon begin shooting the action feature Kane and Lynch with Jamie Foxx. In addition to his work before the cameras, Willis produced Hostage and The Whole Nine Yards and executive produced Breakfast of Champions, adapted from Kurt Vonnegut’s best-selling novel. With brother, David Willis and business partner Stephen Eads, he co-founded Willis Brothers Films, a film production company based in Los Angeles. Willis also maintains a hand in the theater.In 1997, he co-founded A Company of Fools, a non-profit theater troupe committed to developing and sustaining stage work in the Wood River Valley of Idaho, and throughout the U.S. He starred in and directed a staging of Sam Shepard’s dark comedy True West at the Liberty Theater in Hailey, Idaho. The play, which depicts the troubled relationship between two brothers, was aired on Showtime and dedicated to Willis’ late brother Robert. An accomplished musician as well, Willis recorded the 1986 Motown album The Return of Bruno, which went platinum and contained the No. 5 Billboard hit “Respect Yourself.”Three years later, he recorded a second album If It Don’t Kill You, It Just Makes You Stronger. In 2002, he launched a U.S. club tour with his musical group, Bruce Willis and the Blues Band and he traveled to Iraq to play for U.S. service men.
RYAN PHILLIPPE (VINCENT LONG)has starred in many diverse roles beginning with his first film, ©Disney’s White Squall, enabling him to work with acclaimed director Ridley Scott. In his early films, Phillippe was able to work with exceptional actors and directors, those roles included; Little Boy Blue with Natassja Kinski, Greg Araki’s Nowhere, Homegrown with Billy Bob Thornton and Playing by Heart with the ensemble cast of Sean Connery, Angelina Jolie and Gena Rowlands. Starring roles soon followed in the Columbia box office smash I Know What You Did Last Summer, Cruel Intentions, co-starring Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar and Miramax’s 54 with Mike Meyers. Phillippe co-starred in Robert Altman’s Oscar® nominated filmGosfordPark; IgbyGoes Down with Susan Sarandon and Kieran Culkin;Anti-Trust for MGM co-starring Tim Robbins; Paramount Classic’s Company Man with Sigourney Weaver; Artisan’s Way Of The Gun and Miramax’s The I Inside. Phillippe most recently starred in MacGruber alongside Will Forte and Kristen Wiig, based on Saturday Night Live's action-comedy skit.
Phillippe can also be seen in Paramount’s war-drama, Stop Loss, alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Channing Tatum. Additionally, Phillippe recently completed filming Franklyn, opposite Eva Green. This neo-noir film is a split narrative set simultaneously in contemporary London and in a future metropolis ruled by religious fervor. It is the story of four lost souls divided by two parallel worlds. Phillippe’s most recent successes include Clint Eastwood’s Flags Of Our Fathersfor Dreamworks and Warner Bros. and Universal’s Breachstarring opposite Chris Cooper. Phillippe can also be seen in Lionsgate’s Academy Award® winning film Crashfor director Paul Haggis about a group of strangers who are brought together by a car accident.
Phillippe has also formed the production company Lucid Films, with his partner, David Siegal, which is housed by Intermedia Films. Lucid Films produces projects for all mediums. The company’s first production is White Boy Shuffle.
RANDY COUTURE (PETEY)recently starred opposite Jet Li, Jason Statham and Mickey Rourke in the $100 million film The Expendablesfor director-actorSylvester Stallone. Couture also starred in David Mamet’s Red Beltfor Sony Classics followed by starring role in Universal’s The Scorpion King: The AkkadianThe film’s home video has performed beyond expectations and continues to do so. Additionally, Spike TV has been developing a one-hour drama for Couture to star in. Couture’s autobiography,Becoming The Natural,came out earlier last year and was many times on the NY TIMES Bestseller List.Couture fought last year in front of a sold-out audience, to regain his title as UFC HEAVYWIEGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. At 44, Couture came out of retirement to shock the world by re-capturing the Heavyweight belt and proved beyond a doubt this weekend that the oldest fighter on the circuit was able to defeat the bigger, stronger, younger and odds-on favorite (Gabriel Gonzaga). If Couture was an icon and poster-boy for the sport before as a five time World Champion and Hall-of-Famer, he is now a legend in what everyone agrees is the fastest growing sport.The highly anticipated event was a huge financial success earning more than $50 million on pay-per-view. Couture recently defended his title against Brock Lesner in what may have been the biggest pay-per-view event in the history of the UFC.
JENNA DEWAN TATUM (MIA)has established herself as a solid actor with a list of big screen credits including her break out performance in the box-office hit Step Up. She followed that with roles in such films as Take the Lead,The Grudge 2, and Love Lies Bleeding. She has also guest-starred on such hit television series as Joeyand The Young & the Restless, as well as the Lifetime Television movie Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal. Based on true events, the story follows a small town’s cheerleaders that are allowed to run amok by their parents and the school. Dewan Tatum has a rich background in dance, which she began at the age of five. After graduating from the University of Southern California, she was discovered by a dance agent and toured alongside some of the music industry’s great performers including Janet Jackson and Ricky Martin. She also appeared in music videos for Justin Timberlake, Mandy Moore and Missy Elliot. Dewan Tatum serves as a development partner in her newly established production company that has recently signed a two-year production deal with Relativity Media. Born in Texas, Dewan Tatum now resides in Los Angeles with her husband actor Channing Tatum.
BRETT GRANSTAFF (DAVE)is an actor, director and producer, born in Nashville, Tennessee. He completed high school at the BaylorSchool in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he was an all-state track star. He attended the Tisch School of Arts at NYU where he graduated with honors with a BFA in film and television. After graduation, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting and producing. Granstaff is best known for producing, directing and starring in his own blackjack training DVD. His card counting system has been widely acclaimed as the most aggressive and successful yet. In addition, he has recently been seen in The Deal, starring William H. Macy and Meg Ryan.Granstaff’s company Ridgerock Entertainment Group has several projects in development including Black Mas” and Fashionistas. Off screen, Granstaff is a serious athlete and will be competing in the upcoming Coast to Coast World Multisport Championship in New Zealand. He is also an accomplished practitioner and competitor in Eskrima Martial Arts.
THE FILMMAKERS
MIKE GUNTHER (DIRECTOR/WRITER) brings an incredible array of diverse talents to the screen. After designing action sequences for some of Hollywood’s top blockbusters, Gunther has used action to bring in over $2 billion at the box office and emerged as one of the industry’s most exciting “go to” creative forces in stunt coordination and performing. In 2005 he formed a production company, Gunny Entertainment, with longtime writing and producing partner Mike Behrman to develop an extensive slate of projects ranging from television to feature films. is Gunther’s directorial debut.