Sony, Mamet put on 'Redbelt'
Film set in Jiu-Jitsu fight world
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SPC will fully finance and globally distribute the $10 million actioner, which marks a return to the indie film world -- as well as the theme of con games -- for Mamet, who has lately been shepherding his CBS series "The Unit."
Set to start production in May in L.A., "Redbelt" is an American samurai film set in an underworld inhabited by bouncers, cage-fighters, cops and special forces operatives.
"Redbelt" stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a Jiu-Jitsu master who has eschewed prizefighting tooperate a self-defense studio. When he is conned by a cabal of movie stars and fight promoters, he must enter the ring to fightin order to regain his honor.
"Redbelt" will be produced by Chrisann Verges ("Warm Springs," "Mrs. Harris"). Ejiofor's credits include "Children of Men," "Kinky Boots" and the upcoming "American Gangster."
SPC co-presidents Michael Barker and Tom Bernard had been pushing Mamet for the past three years to bring his next low-budgeter to them. Mamet first worked with SPC on 1997 sleeper hit "The Spanish Prisoner," which Barker and Bernard acquired at the Toronto Film Festival. They also financed and distributed his 1999 pic "The Winslow Boy."
More casting is in the works; likely members include frequent Mamet collaborator magician Ricky Jay and Mamet's wife, actress Rebecca Pidgeon. SPC plans a summer 2008 release.
