Prime Video at Comic-Con: Lord of the Rings, Paper Girls, Wheel of Time Shorts

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July 7, 2022

Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Paper Girls, and The Wheel of Time: Origins are heading to the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con. The streaming service will host panels for the three new series, and the series premiere of Paper Girls will screen on Friday, July 22nd.

The San Diego Comic-Con returns to take over downtown San Diego and the San Diego Convention Center beginning on Wednesday, July 20th and wrapping up on Sunday, July 24th.

Prime Video’s 2022 San Diego Comic-Con Panels:

The Wheel of Time: Origins
About: The Wheel of Time: Origins is the animated digital short companion series to hit fantasy epic The Wheel of Time on Prime Video. The Wheel of Time: Origins brings fans deeper into the lore of The Wheel of Time and its vast history and subjects. Join the creative team and a surprise guest behind The Wheel of Time: Origins as they treat fans to a deep dive conversation into the making of this beloved companion series, along with an exclusive special video presentation that promises to deliver some Comic-Con magic to attendees.
When: Thursday, July 21 at 4:15 p.m. PDT
Where: Room 6A

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
About: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
When: Friday, July 22 at 10:30 a.m. PDT
Where: Hall H

Paper Girls
About: From Amazon Studios, Legendary Television, and Plan B comes Paper Girls, a coming-of-age sci-fi adventure series based on the best-selling graphic novels by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang. Join the cast, creators, and executive producers as they reveal an in-depth look at what to expect when this series drops on Prime Video on July 29. Paper Girls is a high-stakes personal journey following four paper girls—Erin, Mac, Tiffany, and KJ—who are out on their delivery route in the early morning hours after Halloween 1988 when they become caught in the crossfire between warring time-travelers, changing the course of their lives forever.

Transported into the future, these girls must figure out a way to get back home to the past, a journey that will bring them face-to-face with the grown-up versions of themselves and the Old Watch, a militant faction of time-travelers who have outlawed time travel so that they can remain in power. In order to survive, the girls will need to overcome their differences and learn to trust each other, and themselves.
When: Friday, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. PDT
Where: Ballroom 20

Paper Girls Special Fan Screening
Join the cast and creators of Paper Girls for a red-carpet screening to celebrate the series’ upcoming July 29 premiere on Prime Video. The rooftop event will include ‘80s-themed food and beverages, exclusive poster giveaways, and special photo moments.
When: Friday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. PDT
Where: Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero, Manchester Grand Hyatt

Entertainment Weekly Party Sponsored by Prime Video:
Entertainment Weekly’s annual bash returns to San Diego in celebration of Comic-Con 2022. This year’s party will feature themed activities from presenting sponsor Prime Video, featuring The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Paper Girls, and music from DJ Michelle Pesce. Admission to the party is by invitation only.
When: Saturday, July 23 at 9:00 p.m. PDT
Where: FLOAT at the Hard Rock Hotel (207 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101)

‘The Resort’ SD Comic-Con Plans Include a Panel and World Premiere

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Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

Peacock and UCP’s upcoming mystery thriller The Resort will be hosting a San Diego Comic-Con panel in support of the series’ debut on July 28, 2022. San Diego Comic-Con attendees will have an opportunity to see the show’s first episode and take part in a Q&A with series creator Andy Siara and The Resort‘s stars William Jackson Harper (The Good Place), Cristin Milioti (Made for Love), Luis Gerardo Méndez (Narcos: Mexico), and Nina Bloomgarden (Hot Pink).

Season one also stars Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation), Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones), and Gabriela Cartol (La Camarista).

The SDCC panel will take place on Saturday, July 23rd at 5:30pm in Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel’s Indigo Ballroom, next door to the San Diego Convention Center.

Peacock offered up the following synopsis of the eight-episode season:

“From award-winning producers Andy Siara (Palm Springs) and Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), The Resort is a multi-generational, coming-of-age love story disguised as a fast-paced mystery about the disappointment of time. An anniversary trip puts a marriage to the test when the couple finds themselves embroiled in one of the Mayan Riviera’s most bizarre unsolved mysteries that took place fifteen years prior.”

The Resort Season 1 — Cristin Milioti as Emma and William Jackson Harper as Noah in ‘The Resort’ (Photo by: Peacock)

Cast and Characters:

Nick Offerman plays Murray Thompson, Violet’s father.
William Jackson Harper plays Noah, also a teacher, but unlike Emma, Noah seems perfectly content floating through the mundane reality of his existence.
Cristin Milioti plays Emma, a high school teacher at a plateau in her monotonous marriage with Noah. They’re celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary when they’re pulled into this mystery together.
Skyler Gisondo plays Sam. Sam is on vacation with his parents and girlfriend in 2007 at the Oceana Vista Resort.
Luis Gerardo Méndez plays Baltasar Frías, the head of security at the Oceana Vista Resort in 2007.
Nina Bloomgarden plays Violet Thompson, who is vacationing with her father and his girlfriend at the Oceana Visa Resort.
Gabriela Cartol plays Luna, the concierge at Emma and Noah’s resort.

‘Primal’ Season 2 Trailer: Genndy Tartakovsky Promises an Epic New Season

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

Creator and executive producer Genndy Tartakovsky promises season two of his Emmy Award-winning series Primal is “hard core, epic badassery,” and the just-released trailer appears to confirm he’s telling the truth. The much-anticipated second season launches Thursday, July 21, 2022 on Adult Swim and will be available on HBO Max the following day.

During the winter Television Critics Association’s press tour, Tartakovsky admitted he was shocked about how quickly the series caught on. “The response was fantastic,” said Tartakovsky. “[…]They weren’t just responding to the violence and the action, but they were responding to the characters and the emotionality of everything. I think that’s what we were kind of after.”

Tartakovsky continued: “Season two is bigger, grander, surprising, and it’s pushing — you know, when we first started to break down the second season, I wasn’t happy and I threw everything away. And we came up with something more unconventional at times. Almost experimental at times. I didn’t say almost, but incredibly different, but almost — but, at the same time, the same as what we’ve done. So I’m super excited. I cannot wait for this to start to air, and I think it’s going to be very, very memorable.”

Season one earned five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program. It currently ranks in the top 10 among all Adult Swim series on HBO Max.

Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal’s behind-the-scenes team includes art director Scott Wills (The Ren & Stimpy Show), composers Tyler Bates (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Joanne Higginbottom (Samurai Jack), and sound effects designer Joel Valentine (Big City Greens).

Adult Swim provided the following plot description:

“Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal follows the tale of Spear (Aaron LaPlante), a caveman at the dawn of evolution, as he forms an unlikely friendship with Fang, a nearly extinct dinosaur. In the second season, Spear and Fang journey to a new world to rescue Mira (Laëtitia Eïdo) from her captors, only to find a place filled with savage brutality.

Filled with suspense, heartbreak, excitement, love and fear, all with almost no dialogue, the series is a painting come to life, relying solely on music and graphic imagery to tell the story of two unlikely allies as they navigate through a treacherous world. After bonding over unfortunate tragedies, they seem to become each other’s only hope of survival.”

‘Wedding Season’ Trailer: Fake Dating Leads to Actual Romance

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Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

The world’s gone mad, right, which means there’s no better time for a lighthearted romantic comedy. Netflix hopes to brighten your days – or at least a couple of hours – with Wedding Season which just unveiled a new trailer.

Pallavi Sharda and Suraj Sharma star as a couple of single adults who decide to team up to fake out their parents during wedding season. The cast also includes Arianna Afsar, Sean Kleier, Veena Sood, Manoj Sood, Sonia Dhillon Tully, Damian Thompson, Ruth Goodwin, Ronica Sajnani, Julius Cho, and Rizwan Manji.

Tom Dey (Failure to Launch) directs from a screenplay by Shiwani Srivastava. Swati Shetty, Tony Hernandez, John Hodges produce, and Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Jake Fuller, Matt Code, Ryan M. Murphy, and John Rhodes executive produce.

Wedding Season premieres on Netflix on August 4, 2022.

The Plot: “After breaking off her engagement, leaving a successful banking career behind in the city, and moving to New Jersey for a fresh start, Asha (Sharda) couldn’t feel more alive. Her mother, on the other hand, thinks that her oldest daughter is about to miss a lifetime of happiness if she doesn’t take her focus away from her new startup job and place it on finding a husband instead. Taking matters into her own hands, Asha’s mother creates an online dating profile in order to set Asha up with a “perfect” match.

Enter Ravi (Sharma) — or rather Ravi’s parents — who have the exact same idea for their son. Asha and Ravi’s reluctant first date is a bust, and they quickly discover that each is in a seemingly different place in their life right now. After realizing her mother is relentless and will not give up, Asha proposes a plan to Ravi that would be a win-win for both: a pretend relationship to be each other’s date to get through the upcoming wedding season.

Through countless invitations, dances and dresses in the next three months, Asha and Ravi slowly come to find that they might have more in common than they think. Maybe their parents were onto something after all.”

‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Comic-Con Plans Include a Q&A and Tavern Experience

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves will have a big presence at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con including a panel in Hall H. In fact, the D&D panel has the honor of being the first panel hosted in Hall H – the largest hall – during 2022 SDCC.

In addition to the Hall H panel, Paramount Pictures and eOne’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves will host a special “Tavern Experience” (details below) and hand out collectible movie posters.

The D&D panel will take place on Thursday, July 21st at 12pm PT. Cast and filmmakers are expected to participate, with further info announced closer to the event.

Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head, and Hugh Grant star in the 2023 feature film. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley direct from a screenplay by Goldstein, Daley, and Michael Gilio.

This year’s in-person San Diego Comic-Con kicks off on Wednesday, July 20th with Preview Night. The huge event, which takes over the San Diego Convention Center and much of San Diego’s downtown, will wrap up on Sunday, July 24th.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES TAVERN EXPERIENCE

During San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Paramount Pictures, in partnership with eOne, will bring the fantastical world of Dungeons & Dragons to life with their one-of-a-kind Tavern Experience. Patrons can visit the Tavern for a peek inside the world of Paramount and eOne’s new movie DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, in theaters March 3, 2023.

Inside, visitors will find a 20-minute, immersive experience for unique photo ops, exclusive takeaways, and a chance to sip on Dragon Brew while interacting with your favorite Dungeons & Dragons creatures and characters, plus a few surprise moments you won’t want to miss!

Boss Logic-created custom artwork will be printed as limited-edition takeaways for those who go through the Tavern Experience in San Diego!

Quincy’s Tavern led the recipe direction for the tavern’s Dragon Brew (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) that will be served to guests during the experience!

WHEN: Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Island Avenue, the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES Tavern Experience will be open to the public at the following times:

Thursday, July 21: 12pm – 10pm PT
Friday, July 22: 10am – 8pm PT
Saturday, July 23: 10am – 8pm PT

To reserve your spot, keep a lookout on the film’s social channels for when the RSVP site launches soon. There will also be a stand-by line on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for admission and the experience is open to the public for all ages.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Movie Review

Duffer Brothers Announce ‘Stranger Things’ Spinoff and Stage Play

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

Duffer Bros Announce Stranger Things Spinoff — Writer/Director/Exec. Producer Ross Duffer and Writer/Director/Exec. Producer Matt Duffer seen at ‘Stranger Things’ Netflix FYSee event (Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Invision for Netflix / AP Images)

Netflix and Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers (Matt and Ross) announced the creation of a new production company as well as plans for a Stranger Things spinoff and Stranger Things stage play. The Duffer Brothers’ new company, Upside Down Pictures, will be run by Hilary Leavitt (Ozark).

“I remember the first movie I saw in the theater, the first VHS tape I got for Christmas, the first international one-sheet I bid for on eBay because it was cooler than the domestic. And the first time I met Matt and Ross. All of these seminal moments have led to this ridiculously cool opportunity to build a company with the Duffer Brothers where we produce movies and television because we love movies and television,” said Hilary Leavitt. “This love is at the core of Upside Down Pictures, where we’re able to collaborate with other artists on projects across the full spectrum of genre. We all love what we do and are excited to do more and more.”

The aim of Upside Down Pictures is “to create the kind of stories that inspired the Duffers growing up – stories that take place at that beautiful crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, where big spectacle co-exists with intimate character work, where heart wins out over cynicism,” according to the Duffer siblings.

“It didn’t take long into our first meeting with Hilary, where we bonded over films like Jaws, Home Alone, and Speed, to know we had found a kindred spirit. Hilary’s passion for storytelling is perhaps matched only by her passion for the storytellers themselves, for whom she is fiercely protective. No wonder so many writers and directors are drawn to working with her. She is a rare talent indeed, and we feel extremely grateful to have her at our side as we build Upside Down Pictures,” stated Matt and Ross Duffer.

The new production company will be involved in both film and television projects. The official announcement also included details on what’s in the works for The Duffer Brothers and Netflix:

A new stage play set within the world and mythology of Stranger Things, produced by prolific and multi-award-winning producers Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Reader), and Netflix. Daldry will also direct. 21 Laps serves as Associate Producer.
A live-action Stranger Things spin-off series based on an original idea by The Duffer Brothers, with Upside Down and 21 Laps producing.
An all-new live-action television adaptation of the renowned Japanese manga and anime series Death Note.
An original series from creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance).
A series adaptation of Stephen King and Peter Straub‘s The Talisman alongside Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and Paramount Television to be created by Curtis Gwinn.

The Duffer Brothers’ fourth season of Stranger Things has snagged the top spot on Netflix’s all-time most popular English TV list with 1.15 billion hours viewed in just 28 days. Stranger Things season four had the biggest premiere weekend of the streaming service’s history, with 286.79 million hours viewed.

‘Reservation Dogs’ Season 2 Trailer Catches Up with the Splintered Pack

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Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

The season two trailer for FX and Hulu’s critically acclaimed Reservation Dogs begins with a “Medicine Man” fortune-telling machine dispensing words of wisdom such as “he who hoots with the owls cannot soar with the eagles in the morning.” A curse is teased, there’s a chase with gunfire, a tumble from a roof, and the two-minute trailer confirms “all kinds of sh*t’s been going down” since we last caught up with the pack.

The award-winning comedy stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Creeped Out) as Bear, Devery Jacobs (American Gods) as Elora Danan, Paulina Alexis (Beans) as Willie Jack, and Lane Factor as Cheese. Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder, Our Flag Means Death) and Sterlin Harjo (Barking Water) created the series and executive produce along with Garrett Basch.

Season two will premiere on August 3, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes on Hulu.

Reservation Dogs Cast — Devery Jacobs as Elora Danan, Lane Factor as Cheese, Paulina Alexis as Willie Jack, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Bear in ‘Reservation Dogs’ (Photo by Shane Brown/FX)

Reservation Dogs Season 1 Description, Courtesy of FX:

Reservation Dogs is a half-hour comedy that follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who steal, rob and save in order to get to the exotic, mysterious and faraway land of California.

“Bear Smallhill” (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) is destined to be a warrior, and a leader. The only problem is he’s not a good fighter, and the gang doesn’t really consider him the leader. But with the guidance of a questionable spirit guide, he just might get there. “Elora Danan” (Devery Jacobs) may be the true leader of the group. But she’s so focused on getting to California, and so oblivious to her own power, that she often can’t see the beauty and goodness in herself and all around her.

Street-smart tough girl “Willie Jack” (Paulina Alexis) is the beating heart of the group. She’s always looking out for her crew. Meanwhile, “Cheese” (Lane Factor) is the gentle, quiet ride-or-die who is so willing to go along with the group that he never stops to consider what his own dreams might be.

One year ago, Daniel, the fifth member of the Reservation Dogs, died. Struggling to make sense of the loss, the remaining four blame their boring, small town and its ability to crush the spirit. They decide to honor Daniel by adopting his dream of getting to California as their own. To succeed, they will have to save enough money, outmaneuver the methheads at the junkyard on the edge of town, constantly dodge conspiracy-obsessed Lighthorseman “Big” (Zahn McClarnon) and survive a turf war against a much tougher rival gang, led by the enigmatic “Jackie” (Elva Guerra).

Reservation Dogs has Native rappers, catfish, Indigenous superstitions and spirits both hilarious and terrifying, laughter, tears, unexpected grandmothers, decent people, terrible people and a cavalcade of supporting characters who color and shade this already vibrant world.

Filmed on location in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Reservation Dogs is a breakthrough in Indigenous representation on television both in front of and behind the camera. Every writer, director and series regular on the show is Indigenous. This first-of-its-kind creative team tells a story that resonates with them and their lived experiences – and invites audiences into a surprisingly familiar and funny world.

Reservation Dogs Makes Our List of the 10 Best New Shows of 2021

‘Evil’ is Set to Deliver Chills and Thrills for a Fourth Season

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

Paramount+ has officially renewed the incredibly popular Evil for a fourth season. The renewal comes after just four episodes of season three have been released.

The series starring Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, and Michael Emerson is one of the most-watched on the subscription streaming service. Created by Michelle King and Robert King, season three also features Christine Lahti, Kurt Fuller, Andrea Martin, Brooklyn Shuck, Skylar Gray, Maddy Crocco, and Dalya Knapp.

“Evil continues to expand its fanbase of both critics and viewers alike; season three currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is a consistent top-five most-watched original series and acquisition driver for the service,” stated Nicole Clemens, president, Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “We couldn’t be more excited to be terrified by what Robert and Michelle create for season four with our outstanding cast bringing it to life.”

Season three premiered on June 12, 2022, with new episodes of the 10-episode season arriving on Sundays.

Robert King, Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Rockne S. O’Bannon, and Nelson McCormick executive produce. Evil is produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions.

Evil Cast — Aasif Mandvi as Ben Shakir, Mike Colter as David Acosta, and Katja Herbers as Kristen Bouchard in ‘Evil’ season 3 (Photo Credit: Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+)

The season three plot, courtesy of Paramount+:

“Evil is a psychological mystery that examines the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion. Season three of Evil began moments after the end of season two: when a newly ordained David and Kristen kiss. The two not only have to navigate this fraught new reality, but contend with David’s involvement with ‘the entity,’ an espionage unit within the Catholic church. Meanwhile, Ben finds his brain breaking from their unsolved cases and turns to his sister for help.”

Preview of the Fourth and Final Season

‘The Woman King’ Trailer: Viola Davis Commands a Fierce Female Army

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

Sony Pictures’ The Woman King recalls the incredible true story of the fierce Agojie, led by General Nanisca. The official trailer shows Nanisca, played by Oscar winner Viola Davis, training her all-female warriors and preparing for war.

The cast also includes Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and John Boyega.

Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard) directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Dana Stevens, story by Maria Bello. Viola Davis, Cathy Schulman, Julius Tennon, and Maria Bello produced. Peter McAleese served as an executive producer.

The Woman King opens in theaters on September 16, 2022.

The Woman King Star Viola Davis — Viola Davis in TriStar Pictures’ ‘The Woman King’ (Photo By Ilze Kitshoff © 2022 CTMG)

The Plot: The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…

‘Amsterdam’ Trailer and Photos with Christian Bale and Margot Robbie

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2022

20th Century Studios and New Regency just released the official trailer for Amsterdam, a crime epic – sort of based on a true story – from five-time Oscar nominated writer and director David O. Russell. Russell’s packed his film with an A-list cast and is set to launch Amsterdam in theaters during awards season on November 4, 2022.

The ensemble includes Oscar winner Christian Bale, two-time Oscar nominee Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Chris Rock. Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Taylor Swift, Zoe Saldaña, Oscar winner Rami Malek and two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro also star.

Christian Bale and David O. Russell reunited for Amsterdam after working together on American Hustle and The Fighter. Bale and Russell serve as producers along with Arnon Milchan, Matthew Budman, and Anthony Katagas. Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, and Sam Hanson executive produce.

20th Century Studios offered the following brief synopsis:

A fascinating and richly intricate tale that brilliantly weaves historical fact with fiction for a timely, cinematic experience, 20th Century Studios’ and New Regency’s original crime epic is about three close friends who find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.