Exclusive: Boxing mother-and-son drama Undercard, starring comedian Wanda Sykes in her first big dramatic film role, has begun principal photography in Puerto Rico for Catalyst Studios.
Emmy Award-winning Sykes plays Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart, a two-time former boxing champion and recovering alcoholic.
The movie follows her attempts to reconnect with 20-year-old son Keith, a talented but troubled young man, played by rising star Bentley Green (Heist 88), who has followed his mother’s footsteps into the boxing ring.
When Keith finds himself alone in his corner, because of his gambling-addicted trainer, he is forced to turn to his mother. Determined to right past wrongs, she embarks on a mission to train her son for glory in a World Championship title fight.
They are joined in the cast by William Stanford Davis (Abbott Elementary), Xavier Mills, Estella Kahiha, Berto Colon and Puerto Rican star Roselyn Sanchez.
Undercard marks the sixth production in two years for Catalyst Studios.
It is directed by Tamika Miller and co-written by Miller and Anita M. Cal.
The movie is billed as following in the tradition of Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby and Creed, but with the story told through the eyes of the trainer.
“It is about the struggle and survival of the human spirit. Getting up when life does its best to knock you down. This powerful, moving story is a metaphor for our own challenges. And it shows Wanda like we have never seen her before,” said Catalyst Studios Chairperson Holly Anderson Levow.
“I’m thrilled to have this amazing cast bring Undercard to life, with Wanda leading the way in what I know will be a breathtaking performance,” said Miller.
Veteran producer Anne Clements along with local producers Frances Lausell and Andres Ramirez are overseeing production in Puerto Rico. Kim Coleman is Co-Producer. Sykes also serves as an executive producer.
Emmy Award-winning Sykes plays Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart, a two-time former boxing champion and recovering alcoholic.
The movie follows her attempts to reconnect with 20-year-old son Keith, a talented but troubled young man, played by rising star Bentley Green (Heist 88), who has followed his mother’s footsteps into the boxing ring.
When Keith finds himself alone in his corner, because of his gambling-addicted trainer, he is forced to turn to his mother. Determined to right past wrongs, she embarks on a mission to train her son for glory in a World Championship title fight.
They are joined in the cast by William Stanford Davis (Abbott Elementary), Xavier Mills, Estella Kahiha, Berto Colon and Puerto Rican star Roselyn Sanchez.
Undercard marks the sixth production in two years for Catalyst Studios.
It is directed by Tamika Miller and co-written by Miller and Anita M. Cal.
The movie is billed as following in the tradition of Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby and Creed, but with the story told through the eyes of the trainer.
“It is about the struggle and survival of the human spirit. Getting up when life does its best to knock you down. This powerful, moving story is a metaphor for our own challenges. And it shows Wanda like we have never seen her before,” said Catalyst Studios Chairperson Holly Anderson Levow.
“I’m thrilled to have this amazing cast bring Undercard to life, with Wanda leading the way in what I know will be a breathtaking performance,” said Miller.
Veteran producer Anne Clements along with local producers Frances Lausell and Andres Ramirez are overseeing production in Puerto Rico. Kim Coleman is Co-Producer. Sykes also serves as an executive producer.
- 7/3/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Catalyst Studios is producing and launching world sales on boxing drama Undercard, written and to be directed by Tamika Miller (Honor Student) and set to star Emmy winner Wanda Sykes in her first dramatic film role.
The movie will chart the story of a female boxing trainer (Sykes), who after abandoning her son, rises from the ashes to coach him in the biggest fight of his career.
The film is currently in pre-production, with Catalyst introducing the film to buyers at this week’s European Film Market.
Pic is co-written by Anita M. Cal and is produced by Anne Clements, Catalyst Studios’ Paul Kampf and Mark Pennell, with Catalyst Chairperson Holly Levow executive-producing.
Comedian and actress Sykes is best known for roles in History Of The World: Part II, The Upshaws, Monster In Law and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her latest comedy special I’m An Entertainer was nominated for a Golden Globe,...
The movie will chart the story of a female boxing trainer (Sykes), who after abandoning her son, rises from the ashes to coach him in the biggest fight of his career.
The film is currently in pre-production, with Catalyst introducing the film to buyers at this week’s European Film Market.
Pic is co-written by Anita M. Cal and is produced by Anne Clements, Catalyst Studios’ Paul Kampf and Mark Pennell, with Catalyst Chairperson Holly Levow executive-producing.
Comedian and actress Sykes is best known for roles in History Of The World: Part II, The Upshaws, Monster In Law and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her latest comedy special I’m An Entertainer was nominated for a Golden Globe,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Catalyst Studios has tapped Serbian helmer Milena Grujic (A.S. (25), The Future is Bright and Unbearable) to direct action title Verified Target. The project will star international cast including Dominka Walo (Psy 3: W imie Zasad) Sebastian Hulk (All Quiet on the Western Front), Martin Wuttke (Inglorious Bastards), and Maria Erwolter (1899).
Verified Target is a high-octane English-language action film that tells the tale of a disillusioned hit woman who discovers the organization she works for is no longer a force for good. Her target has been falsely verified, she refuses to “take the shot” and now becomes a target on the hit list of the firm she once worked for.
The film, which begins filming in Belgrade, Serbia this week, is produced by Marija Bereta and Dragan Ivanovic, who heads Bandur Film in Belgrade. Catalyst Studios’ Holly Levow is executive producing.
“I like to push my own limits, collaborate with creative minds,...
Verified Target is a high-octane English-language action film that tells the tale of a disillusioned hit woman who discovers the organization she works for is no longer a force for good. Her target has been falsely verified, she refuses to “take the shot” and now becomes a target on the hit list of the firm she once worked for.
The film, which begins filming in Belgrade, Serbia this week, is produced by Marija Bereta and Dragan Ivanovic, who heads Bandur Film in Belgrade. Catalyst Studios’ Holly Levow is executive producing.
“I like to push my own limits, collaborate with creative minds,...
- 4/20/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fledgling U.S. production company Catalyst Studios has announced eight-part docuseries EmpowHer going behind the scenes of the films on its inaugural slate driven by six female and non-binary directors and producers.
Catalyst Studios was launched last May as a joint venture between social entrepreneur Holly Levow and producer Paul Kampf of Equitas Entertainment, and Mark Pennell of Beacon Pictures, with a focus on emerging talent and diverse storytelling.
EmpowHer will follow the journeys of filmmakers from across Catalyst Studios’ slate including Michelle Salcedo with Switch & Bait, starring Otmara Marrero and Katie Clarkson-Hill; Joanne Mitchell with Sybil; Siri Rødnes with Follow Me starring Connie Nielsen, and Colombian auteur Ana Maria Hermida with the recently announced coming-of-age feature film Alix.
Further filmmaker subjects include Tamika Miller and Milena Grujic with soon-to-be-announced projects.
The series will track the filmmakers from pre-production, through filming,...
Catalyst Studios was launched last May as a joint venture between social entrepreneur Holly Levow and producer Paul Kampf of Equitas Entertainment, and Mark Pennell of Beacon Pictures, with a focus on emerging talent and diverse storytelling.
EmpowHer will follow the journeys of filmmakers from across Catalyst Studios’ slate including Michelle Salcedo with Switch & Bait, starring Otmara Marrero and Katie Clarkson-Hill; Joanne Mitchell with Sybil; Siri Rødnes with Follow Me starring Connie Nielsen, and Colombian auteur Ana Maria Hermida with the recently announced coming-of-age feature film Alix.
Further filmmaker subjects include Tamika Miller and Milena Grujic with soon-to-be-announced projects.
The series will track the filmmakers from pre-production, through filming,...
- 3/21/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
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