WWE, Fox Atomic go for '12 Rounds'
Harlin to direct action film starring Cena, Harris By TATIANA SIEGEL, MARC GRASER
February 14, 2008
World Wrestling Entertainment is stepping into the film production
ring with Fox Atomic for "12 Rounds," tapping Renny Harlin
to direct the actioner set to star grappler John Cena, Steve Harris,
Aidan Gillen and Brian White.
Story centers on a New Orleans police
detective (Cena) whose girlfriend is kidnapped. Harlin, who most
recently helmed "The Cleaner" with
Samuel L. Jackson, will direct the
$20 million pic from a script
by Daniel Kunka.
Production starts Feb. 25 in New Orleans. It's WWE's first pic
to lens in the U.S., with previous pics shot in Australia.
Mark
Gordon, Josh McLaughlin and WWE Films' prexy Michael Lake are producing.
WWE topper Vince McMahon serves as exec producer
with Becki Trujillo.
"
12 Rounds" becomes the fourth pic produced by subsid WWE Films
since the production arm was formed in 2002 to develop movies that
feature the pro wrestling company's top stars.
It's Cena's second
outing toplining a feature, following 2006's "The
Marine," which is WWE Films' most successful release so far,
earning $22 million worldwide.
Company's other credits include the
2006 release "See No Evil," starring
Glen "Kane" Jacobs, while "The Condemned," with
Stone Cold Steve Austin, hit theaters last year.
Fox distribbed "The Marine," while Lionsgate handled
the other two pics.
Harris, who plays an FBI agent in the pic, is
best known for his role on "The Practice." His film credits
include "Diary
of a Mad Black Woman" and "Bringing Down the House."
Gillen, who takes the kidnapper role, is a regular on "The
Wire," while White co-starred in "Stomp the Yard." He
plays a cop working with Cena's character.
20th Century Fox will
release "12 Rounds" in 2009.
Courtesy
of Variety Online >
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