Anthony Mackie and Dafne Keen Lead the Cast of Action-Thriller ‘Barracuda’ Directed by Neil Burger, Starting Filming This Week with Robert Zemeckis as Executive Producer
Anthony Mackie and Dafne Keen Set to Star in ‘Barracuda’ Filming in New Mexico
Actors Anthony Mackie and Dafne Keen will lead the cast of the upcoming action-thriller Barracuda, which begins production this week in New Mexico. Mackie, known for his role in Captain America, and Keen, recognized for her performance in Deadpool & Wolverine, are poised to deliver a gripping narrative.
Directed by Neil Burger, famed for his work on Divergent, Limitless, and The Illusionist, the film also features Steven Bauer from Ray Donovan and Anthony Del Negro from Running Point. The screenplay is crafted by Adam Mason and Simon Boyes.
The film’s synopsis details a harrowing story: “When Karl (Mackie), a former smuggler with a haunted past, storms a nightclub in Mexico to rescue Jodie (Keen), a kidnapped teenage girl, he ignites a chain reaction of blood and bullets that burns across 100 miles of deadly roads toward the U.S. border. The breakout turns into a high-speed race when Karl kills the brother of the ruthless club owner and steals his prized 1973 Plymouth Barracuda. Now hunted by relentless criminals, Karl and Jodie tear across the desert with no way to slow down.”
Production is spearheaded by Arianne Fraser, Delphine Perrier, and Henry Winterstern for Highland Film Group, along with Jack Rapke and Aaron Rapke for Image Movers, Kia Jam for K. Jam Media, Todd Lundbohm for 828 Productions, Peter Jákl for R.U. Robot Studios, and Joe Di Maio for The Black Demon.
The executive producing team includes Oscar-winning director Robert Zemeckis, alongside Isaac Lilly of Image Movers, Mark Holder and Christine Holder from Wonder Street, Bryan Coyne, Kyle Fox, and Walter Josten from Blue Rider Pictures. Highland Film Group is managing worldwide and domestic rights for the film, which will begin principal photography in Las Cruces, NM.
828 Productions will serve as the production partner in New Mexico, providing studio facilities and operational support from its Las Cruces campus.
“I’ve been looking to make a non-stop action thriller and I’ve finally found it with this great screenplay,” Burger remarked. “This one never lets up. It’s out-of-control, relentless mayhem in a real-time sprint to the border. I’ve also been wanting to work with Anthony Mackie for some time and know we’ll make a great team. As with Limitless and Inheritance, I’m inventing new visual techniques to make this movie a truly wild ride.”
Fraser, CEO of Highland Film Group, praised Burger, stating, “Neil Burger has a proven track record for directing films with a striking visual style and pacing. Barracuda promises to be the next display of his superlative visionary skill as a filmmaker.”
Perrier, COO of Highland Film Group, added, “We are delighted that Anthony Mackie, an actor so beloved by audiences worldwide, has joined the team to bring this adrenaline-packed film to life on the big screen. He is the ideal actor to give our hero Karl that perfect blend of cunning, physical prowess, and deeply human vulnerability that the role requires.”
Mackie is represented by UTA and Inspire Entertainment, while Keen’s representation includes Independent Talent Group, UTA, and Goodman, Genow. Bauer is represented by GVA Talent Agency and Zero Gravity Management. Burger is represented by Range Media Partners and Goodman, Genow, while Mason and Boyes are represented by Entertainment 360 and Hansen, Jacobson.
