Naomi Ackie has officially joined the cast of Ric Roman Waugh’s untitled action-thriller, currently in production in the UK and Ireland. The BAFTA-winning actress will star alongside Jason Statham, Academy Award nominee Bill Nighy (Living), Daniel Mays (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and newcomer Bodhi Rae Breathnach (Hamnet).
The film follows Statham’s character, a man forced to confront the violent ghosts of his past. The script was penned by Ward Parry, with revisions from Christian Contreras. Black Bear first introduced the project at Cannes, where it generated significant industry buzz. Baltasar Kormakur was initially attached to direct but exited the project, paving the way for Waugh to take the helm. Black Bear will continue sales efforts at the European Film Market (EFM).
Producers for the film include Statham through Punch Palace Productions, John Friedberg (The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare) for Black Bear, Brendon Boyea (Kandahar) for Cinemachine, and Jon Berg (Wonder Woman) and former Warner Bros. executive Greg Silverman for Stampede Ventures. Teddy Schwarzman and Michael Heimler will serve as executive producers for Black Bear.
Naomi Ackie’s addition brings even more prestige to the film’s growing cast. Ackie, who recently starred in Blink Twice, has continued to make waves in the industry following her standout performances in The End of the F**ing World* and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Director Ric Roman Waugh has solidified his status as a go-to filmmaker for high-octane action films, with credits including the Gerard Butler-led Greenland and its sequel Greenland: Migration. Waugh is represented by Range Media Partners and Johnson Shapiro. Ackie is repped by CAA, Hamilton Hodell, Range Media Partners, and Peikoff Mahan Law Office.
Statham’s busy schedule includes A Working Man, directed by David Ayer, and Mutiny, helmed by Jean-Francois Richet. Rising star Bodhi Rae Breathnach, who will make her feature film debut in Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet opposite Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, adds fresh talent to the cast.
More details on the untitled action-thriller are expected to be revealed as the project continues production.