Barbarian boards Boyce's 'Jonah'

Film unit to finance indie actioner

By DAVE MCNARY

Barbarian Films has come aboard to finance indie actioner “Jonah,” Brandon Boyce’s directing debut from a script he’s written.

Vincent Newman will produce under his Vincent Newman Entertainment banner and Voltage will handle international sales. Barbarian’s planning a first-quarter start.

Story centers on a team of hitmen led by a veteran and his 14-year-old protege who are pursued by a hotshot FBI agent.

Boyce’s writing credits include “Apt Pupil” and “Wicker Park,” and he recently co-starred in Gus Van Sant’s “Milk.”

Barbarian Films was launched last year by Aaron Kaufman, Ron Hartenbaum and Doug Kuber to produce and finance independent films. Recent projects include “The Greatest,” starring Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon; “Spread,” starring Ashton Kutcher; and the upcoming “13,” starring Sam Riley.

Newman is producing “Paradise Lost” and “Kung Fu” for Legendary and “Red Dawn” for MGM.