Lionsgate Acquires Domestic Rights to Eiza Gonzalez’s World War II Film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

Eiza González is bringing the warfare to the United States…

Lionsgate has picked up the domestic distribution rights to Guy Ritchie’s World War II film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring the 33-year-old Mexican actress/singer.

Eiza GonzálezIn addition to Gonzalez, the film also stars Henry Cavill, Henry Golding, Alex Pettyfer and Cary Elwes, among others.

The studio is targeting a 2024 wide theatrical release.

Prime Video has secured most of the international rights for the film, distributing across Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, India and pan-Asian pay TV.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is billed as an “outrageous true story” about U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s and James Bond author Ian Fleming’s secret WWII combat organization.

As per a synopsis, “this clandestine squad’s unconventional and entirely ‘ungentlemanly’ fighting techniques against the Nazis significantly changed the course of the war and gave birth to the modern Black Ops unit.”

Principal photography begins on Monday in Turkey. Acknowledging the devastating earthquake that has ravaged parts of the country, Ritchie and the producers noted that the shoot will take place “several hundred miles from the epicenter” of the disaster.

“We do so with profound sympathy for everyone affected,” said Ritchie in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the members of our crew with family in the region. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the people of Turkey. We stand by them and are committed to supporting members of our production team and the wider community over the coming weeks and months.”

The film’s script is from Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, Arash Amel and Ritchie, and based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ best-selling book of the same name. Tamasy and Johnson initiated the project and sold it as a pitch to Bruckheimer and Paramount in 2015.

Jerry Bruckheimer will produce alongside Chad Oman, Ritchie’s producing partner Ivan Atkinson, and John Friedberg for Black Bear International.

Eiza González to Star in the World War II Action Spy Film “The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

The spy’s the limit for Eiza González

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star in the World War II action spy film The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Eiza GonzálezGonzalez will star opposite Henry Cavill in the film from Guy Ritchie and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Ritchie will direct the project as his next film, with filming expected to begin in Turkey in January.

The film, inspired by real events, will chart United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s and James Bond scribe Ian Fleming’s secret WWII combat organization. The clandestine squad’s unconventional and entirely ‘ungentlemanly’ fighting techniques against the Nazis helped change the course of the war and in part gave birth to the modern Black Ops unit.

The project was initially in development at Paramount through Bruckheimer’s first look deal, but the studio will not be distributing the film. Black Bear is reportedly in active discussions regarding U.S. distribution and international deals.

The script, by Ritchie and Arash Amel, is based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ popular book of the same name.

González, who most recently seen in Michael Bay’s Ambulance, will play a military sniper with extraordinary spy-craft abilities.

She will next be see in Netflix’s sci-fi film The Three Body Problem and Scott Z Burns’ Extrapolations for Apple TV+.

Ariana DeBose to Star in Apple Original Films’ Actioner “Argylle”

The spies have it for Ariana DeBose

The 30-year-old half-Afro-Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer has joined the cast of Argylle, an action film from Apple Original Films and Matthew Vaughn’s Marv Studios.

Ariana DeBose

The film is currently in production in Europe.

DeBose, a Tony Award nominee, joins a cast that includes Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena, Samuel L. Jackson, and Grammy winner Dua Lipa, who is making her big screen debut.

The film—setting up a new franchise for Vaughn—follows the world’s greatest spy, Argylle, as he is caught up in a globetrotting adventure, which takes him from America to London and beyond.

It’s based on Elly Conway’s upcoming spy novel of the same name, which is set for publication via Transworld Publishers Ltd, a division of Penguin Random House, next year.

Vaughn is directing Argylle from a script by Jason Fuchs. Dua Lipa will also pen the film’s original title track and score.

“We have assembled an absolutely stellar cast to inhabit each of the wonderfully original and captivating characters in this thrill ride of a story,” said Vaughn. “We’re so excited that production is now off and running, bringing us closer to sharing this epic action spectacle with audiences around the world.”

DeBose earned her Tony nomination in 2018 for her turn as Donna Summer in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. She also featured in the original cast of Hamilton, along with other Broadway titles including Bring It On: The Musical and Pippin.

She will next be seen portraying Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, and can currently be seen in Apple’s musical comedy series Schmigadoon!.

Rivera Wins NewNowNext Award

It’s an obvious fact: Naya Rivera is a stunner… And, now she has an award to prove it!

The 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress, who has quickly become a standout star on Fox’s Glee, nabbed the Cause You’re Hot Award at the taping of the Logo network’s annual NewNowNext Awards late this week.

Naya Rivera

Rivera beat out Magic Mike’s Channing Tatum, The TudorsHenry Cavill, American Horror Story’s Jessica Lang, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol star Paula Patton for the public-voted award.

The NewNowNext Awards showcase who and what are on the verge of a pop culture explosion in the coming year.

The awards show will be broadcast on Monday, April 9 at 10:00 pm ET on Logo.