Aaron Pierre stars in an action-thriller directed by Jalmari Helander as Netflix secures the project with a winning competitive bid, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
The story follows an unassuming cab driver in New York City on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a relentless night of vengeance after thieves steal a priceless gift meant for his estranged son.
Writers Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani penned the original spec script for the feature. Helander previously directed the action film Sisu.
Lionsgate produced Helander’s earlier work and recently partnered with Netflix on War Machine.
Erin Westerman, president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, discussed the new project in a statement.
“Coming off the extraordinary success of War Machine, we couldn’t be more excited to be making another film with our friends at Netflix,” Westerman told The Hollywood Reporter.
She added that the production marks a third collaboration with Helander.
“He’s an exceptional filmmaker with a distinctive ability to deliver visceral, memorable action while never losing sight of character and emotion,” Westerman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Pierre plays the lead role after recently portraying John Stewart in the HBO and DC Studios live-action series Lanterns. He also appeared in Rachel Morrison’s Love of Your Life and voiced a character in Sony Pictures Animation’s Goat.
Westerman praised the lead actor’s career trajectory.
“That makes him a perfect match for Aaron Pierre, who has all the makings of a major movie star — commanding screen presence, undeniable charisma and the ability to bring real depth and emotion to his performances,” Westerman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Beau Flynn produces the feature for FlynnPictureCo alongside Kevin King Templeton for Templeton Media. Scott Sheldon joins Haines and Noshirvani as an executive producer.
James Myers and Pavan Kalidindi oversee production for Lionsgate. Pierre is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, Entertainment 360, B-Side Management, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.