Vertical Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Morena Baccarin’s Action Thriller “Fast Charlie”

Morena Baccarin’s latest project will be heading into U.S. theaters…

Vertical has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the action thriller Fast Charlie, starring the 44-year-old Brazilian actress and James Caan in his final film, ahead of its October 7th world premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Morena BaccarinCaan died in Los Angeles in July 2022, aged 82, following a decorated career of six decades.

The film also stars Pierce Brosnan.

Specifics as to release plans for his last project, based on the 2001 novel Gun Monkeys, haven’t been disclosed.

Brosnan’s character in the film, financed by Ashland Hill, is Charlie Swift, aka “Fast Charlie,” the consummate fixer with a problem: the target he’s just whacked is missing his head. Unfortunately, the only way for him to get paid is to prove it’s the intended target to the man who paid for the hit — New Orleans’ most ruthless mobster, Beggar Mercado (Gbenga Akinnagbe). Charlie looks to do so by enlisting the help of Marcie Kramer (Baccarin), the victim’s ex-wife and a woman with the backbone and skillset he desperately needs. Dragging Marcie back into a past she was determined to escape sends the pair on a wild and unpredictable odyssey, and throughout their escapades, they fight to protect the legacy of Charlie’s best friend and mentor, Stan Mullen (Caan), while bringing down Beggar and his entire operation.

Phillip Noyce directed from a script by Richard Wenk, with Toby Huss and Sharon Gless rounding out the cast.

Said producer Daniel Grodnik of the film, “Richard Wenk’s adaptation of Victor Gischler’s thriller novel, Gun Monkeys, coupled with Phillip Noyce’s keen direction, brings us into a fast-paced world where loyalty, commitment, and doing what’s right still matter. The relationship between Pierce Brosnan and Morena Baccarin is as surprising for them as it is for the audience which makes for a lot of fun.”

In discussing the film’s appeal, Vertical partner Peter Jarowey stated that “Phillip has delivered a crisp, swift thriller with heart that showcases Brosnan and Baccarin’s chemistry delivering performances that seamlessly flow between action, thrills and drama with a good measure of humor weaved throughout to give audiences an exceptionally satisfying experience.”

Morena Baccarin to Star in Hitman Thriller “Fast Charlie”

Morena Baccarin is movin’ Fast

The 42-year-old Brazilian actress will star opposite James Caan and Pierce Brosnan in hitman thriller Fast Charlie, to be directed by Phillip Noyce.

Filming is due to get underway in New Orleans next week.

Brosnan will play Charlie Swift who has worked for his ageing mob boss Stan (Caan) for twenty years, skillfully operating as a prolific fixer and efficient hitman. When a rival boss moves to eliminate Stan and his entire team, he fails in wiping the team clean. Now on his own, Charlie will stop at nothing to avenge his friend and has no plans to leave anyone alive.

Baccarin is set to play the female lead Marcie, the ex-wife of a mobster killed by Charlie, who forms an unexpected pairing with Charlie in his revenge against the rival mob.

The original screenplay is written by Richard Wenk, inspired by the novel Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler. Daniel Grodnik and Mitchell Welch will produce.

Foresight is handling international sales and parent company Screen Media is distributing in the U.S.

Director Noyce commented on the casting: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have James Caan and Morena Baccarin aboard. I can’t imagine a more perfect pair than Morena and Pierce. Not to be cute, but they really do make a killer couple.”

Producer Daniel Grodnik added: “I brought Phillip to America in 1988 to direct Blind Fury with Rutger Hauer and now 34 years later I’m thrilled to be back on the set with him. With a great script by Richard Wenk, and Pierce bringing his star power to the role of Charlie, alongside the legendary, James Caan, and the multi-talented Morena Baccarin, Phillip has a vision that will craft a seminal and iconic film to entertain audiences worldwide.”