Latest news with #EssentialFilmGroup
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
YouTuber Steven He Leading Cast In Martial Arts Comedy ‘Kung Fu Deadly', Filming Underway In Ireland
EXCLUSIVE: Filming has begun in Dublin and County Meath, Ireland, on Kung Fu Deadly, a martial arts supernatural action-comedy starring YouTuber and TikToker Steven He. Produced by Paddy McDonald (Predestination), who also wrote the script with Nicholas Cooper (Zombie Plane), the Irish-Australian co-production is being directed by Fergal Costello (BAFTA winner for Brain In Gear). Essential Film Group is handling worldwide sales. More from Deadline Iain Glen War Drama 'The Last Front' Sells To U.S., UK, Australia - EFM ITN Acquires 'Joe Baby' Starring Dichen Lachman, Willa Fitzgerald, Ron Perlman & Harvey Keitel - EFM Nu Boyana & Free Dolphin Ready Slate, Including 'Velvet Curtain' & 'Murder High' - EFM The movie concerns two hapless pest controllers who are thrust into mortal danger when they accidentally tranquilize a Taoist hunter of Chinese undead aka 'Jiangshi' who are spreading through the city. Having interrupted her pursuit of a centuries old enemy and with the clock ticking, they must reluctantly band together to rid the city of this supernatural menace the only way they know how: extermination. Also starring are Michael Tient (Lir Academy), Gemma Chua-Tran (Heartbreak High), Jason Tobin (F9; The Fast Saga) and Max Huang (Mortal Kombat 1 & 2). Lee Huang (Old Guard 2) is aboard as action director. Paddy McDonald is producing through his Spellmaker Productions alongside Nicholas Cooper for Parc Entertainment Capital who are also providing finance. The production is supported by Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and Screen Queensland. Post production will be handled by Brisbane based Chop Shop Post with Radioactive Pictures distributing the film in Australia and New Zealand. Executive producers are Zane O'Donahoo and Chris Dirckze. Actor, comedian and YouTuber He has more than 13 million YouTube subscribers. The Chinese-born Irish social media personality, currently based in the United States, is known on social channels for his satirical comedy sketches. McDonald commented: 'It is truly a privilege to be bringing such an novel and exciting movie to audiences with such a wonderfully talented cast and crew, and in partnership partners who are so supportive of the vision for this ground breaking Irish genre movie with tons of action and even more. We can't wait to share it with audiences.' James Norrie of Essential added: 'Kung Fu Deadly is an action comedy that delivers on all fronts. Get ready for a ride that takes inspiration from Big Trouble In Little China with the energy of Stephen Chow'. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Tonys, Guilds & More How To Watch Sunday's 'SNL50: The Anniversary Special' Online & On TV Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's Next Film – 'The Odyssey': Release Date, Cast And More
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Malcolm McDowell & Alex Hassell To Star In ‘Dog & Bull'; Essential Film Group Boards Crime Thriller Ahead Of EFM
EXCLUSIVE: Malcom McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) and Alex Hassell (Rivals) will star in crime thriller Dog & Bull, with Essential Film Group launching sales on pic at the EFM. Written and directed by James Marquand (Dead Man's Cards), the feature from Blackwater Pictures also stars Sinead Cusack (Napoleon), Lara Peake (How to Have Sex), Francis Magee (Layer Cake), Bobby Schofield (Cherry) and Paul Barber (The Full Monty). Tiernan Handy is producing along with Kevin Harvey, Simon Marriott and Antoine Dixon-Bellot, and Essential has boarded for worldwide sales. More from Deadline Gebeka Int'l Unveils Fresh Images For Amélie Nothomb Adaptation 'Little Amelie' - EFM MK2 & Lucky Number Board Annemarie Jacir's 'Palestine 36'; Unveil First Stills & Jeremy Irons Casting Alongside Hiam Abbass, Saleh Bakri & Liam Cunningham - EFM Natalie Portman To Star In Rom-Com 'Good Sex' With Lena Dunham Writing & Directing; FilmNation & CAA Media Finance Launching For EFM Per the synopsis, Dog & Bull is billed as 'a dark, hard-boiled crime-thriller, with black comedy undertones, in which legendary actor McDowell stars as a fugitive criminal hiding out as a pub landlord who questions his identity when he gets discovered by a psychotic hitman (Hassell), who is also his biggest fan.' McDowell grew up as the son of a publican, who ran a pub called the Bull and Dog in Lancashire, England. He's known for the likes of The Raging Moon, Caligula, Blue Thunder, Mr. Magoo, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, The Artist and Bombshell. Since 2022, he has starred in Canadian sitcom Son of a Critch. Hassell is riding high off of Disney+'s soapy 1980s-set drama Rivals. He's also had roles in Suburbicon, The Miniaturist, The Boys, Cowboy Bebop, His Dark Materials and Locked In. Essential Film Group's James Norrie said, 'Dog & Bull is a masterful re-invention of the British crime thriller, and the chemistry between the legendary Malcolm McDowell and superstar in the making Alex Hassell is nothing short of electric. We can't wait for audiences to see it'. 'I am excited to be bringing a chainsaw wielding Malcolm McDowell to cinema screens, showing he is still ready for some 'ultra violence,'' said Kevin Harvey, while Tiernan Hanby added, 'Essential Film Group are the perfect partner for this film — they have the exact mix of creative spark and commercial understanding to help shape and position the best version of the film.' Blackwater is also producing the upcoming untitled Jimmy White biopic starring Ray Winstone and Anuerin Barnard, along with Heavyweight, which stars Jordan Bolger, Nicholas Pinnock and Jason Isaacs and releases later this year. Hassell is represented by United Agents, Gersh and Sol22. McDowell is represented by Chris Roe Management. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'The Apprentice' Oscar Nominees Sebastian Stan & Jeremy Strong On Why It's 'More Of A Horror Movie' With "Monstrous Egos"
