True Threat is on the rise — and now we’ve got our first look at Jonathan Majors putting in serious work behind the scenes.
In a newly released training clip, Majors is seen sharpening his skills in 52 Blocks, the rarely showcased Black American martial art that will play a major role in the upcoming Harlem-set action thriller. The footage is raw, deliberate, and filled with purpose — a clear sign that True Threat isn’t just aiming to entertain, it’s coming with cultural weight and emotional intensity.
Directed by Gerard McMurray (The First Purge, Burning Sands) and produced by Alexis Garcia under his CAT5 banner, True Threat follows Vernon Threat (Majors), a former special forces operative who returns home to Harlem seeking justice after his teenage son is murdered by the Apollo Kids. What unfolds is a floor-by-floor war inside a 20-story housing project known as The Carter — culminating in a final showdown with the gang’s leader, who also happens to be Vernon’s former mentor.
As previously reported, True Threat marks the acting debut of WWE superstar Jade Cargill, who will star opposite Majors as Meeka — a commanding lieutenant in the Apollo Kids gang who controls The Carter’s red-light district. Her role is physical, gritty, and poised to leave a lasting impression, making Cargill one of the most highly anticipated breakout performances of the year.
The film was written by McMurray alongside Hodge K. Johnson, with action design by Larnell Stovall (The Continental), who’s helping bring the brutal elegance of 52 Blocks to life on screen for the first time in a major feature.
True Threat is the first feature from Southland Stories, the new production venture from Charlamagne Tha God, Basil Iwanyk (John Wick, Sicario), and Karen Kinney. The banner is committed to championing Southern voices and underrepresented stories that too often get overlooked in mainstream film.
“Films like True Threat are exactly why we created Southland Stories,” said Charlamagne. “It’s vital to show that Black creatives can thrive across all genres. Gerard McMurray and Jonathan Majors are extremely talented individuals.”
As for Majors, the role represents one of his first major projects since his 2023 conviction for third-degree assault and harassment. This training clip, filled with precision and grit, suggests he’s all in on delivering a performance with weight — both physically and emotionally.
With production slated to begin this fall, True Threat is shaping up to be more than just another action flick — it’s a statement. A comeback. A cultural reckoning wrapped in kinetic storytelling.
And if this early glimpse is any indication, it’s about to go very hard.