Baldwin and Dorff Headline Survival Thriller 'Cold Deck'
Oscar nominee Alec Baldwin and Blade actor Stephen Dorff are set to headline in the indie film, Cold Deck. The film, directed by Brian Skiba, and produced by Corey Large and Eric Bromberg, completed production in advance of the SAG-AFTRA strike that began on July 14.
In the film, penned by Joe Perruccio, a group of loggers unearth a tucked-away meth production site deep in the woods and subsequently find themselves thrust into a battle of survival. Their backcountry discovery makes them the targets of a ruthless drug cartel - a high-stake scenario that undeniably promises cinematic tension.
Production of the feature was financially backed by 30 Enterprises and Chinese financier Pink308. Noteworthy, Pink308 operates with a sizeable $50M film fund earmarked to finance eight to ten features each year. Cold Deck's executive producers comprise Kirk Shaw, Stephanie Rennie, Ram Getz, Greg Meyer, and Michael Mortensen.
In addition to Baldwin and Dorff, Cold Deck's star-filled roster comprises Clive Standen, known for Vikings and Everest; Tom Welling, most notable for his role as Clark Kent on Smallville; Jesse Metcalfe of the Fortress franchise and Christmas Under the Stars; Lochlyn Munro from Riverdale; and Lucy Martin from Vikings.
Baldwin, cleared of charges in the Rust shooting back in April, completed filming the western in Montana this past spring. The film was dedicated to the late director of photography Halyna Hutchins.
Now, to editorialize…
While Dorff might fall into the 'remember him?' category, his inclusion in Cold Deck signals a clear showcasing of touted and well-tested talent. Alec Baldwin shrugs off controversy with a continued commitment to his craft - a sign of his undeniable pulling power in Hollywood. Skiba sits at the director's chair, a name that might not yet ring all the bells, but remember how Tarantino was virtually unknown before Reservoir Dogs? Yes, just like that.
Bear in mind, too, that thrillers like Cold Deck can intricately weave the raw energy of fear and survival to strike a core with audiences. It's an ambitious endeavour, no doubt, and it will be interesting to see how the narrative unfolds. A cartel chasing loggers in the forest might look like a tough sell on paper, but an effective execution might just turn the tables and yield an unexpected sleeper hit.
Lastly, Pink308 financing this indie venture adds another feather to their cap. Their financially robust presence underscores China's increased footprint in Hollywood. Mixing interesting storylines and homegrown talent with foreign financing is becoming an attractive cocktail for indie filmmakers. And as diversity gains momentum in Hollywood, contributions from every corner of the world are more important than ever.
Eagerly awaiting, popcorn in hand, to see if Cold Deck, much like its protagonists, manages to escape the dense cinematic jungle with flying colors.
