Baldwin, Dorff Brace Up as Loggers in Tense Indie Feature 'Cold Deck'
Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin and Blade actor Stephen Dorff have signed up for the indie feature 'Cold Deck', according to Deadline's sources. Helmed by Brian Skiba and bankrolled by Corey Large and Eric Bromberg, this promising feature managed to wrap up its production before the SAG-AFTRA strike came into force on July 14.
Featuring a script by Joe Perruccio, 'Cold Deck' throws a group of loggers into a tense survival drama. After unwittingly stumbling upon a meth cooking site tucked away deep within the forest, the group find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless drug cartel.
The production has been financed by 30 Enterprises and Chinese financiers Pink308. The latter brings with it a robust $50M film fund that plans to back eight to ten features annually. Producers at the helm of the project include Kirk Shaw, Stephanie Rennie, Ram Getz, Greg Meyer, and Michael Mortensen.
The cast of 'Cold Deck' boasts names such as Clive Standen (known for Vikings and the movie Everest), Tom Welling (the face of Clark Ken in Smallville), Jesse Metcalfe (famed for the Fortress franchise with Bruce Willis, and Christmas Under the Stars), Lochlyn Munro (Riverdale) and Lucy Martin (Vikings).
This news comes after Alec Baldwin was cleared of charges related to the Rust shooting incident back in April. The actor recently finished filming the western in Montana this past spring, with the movie being dedicated to the memory of slain DP Halyna Hutchins.
Corey Large, producer of 'Cold Deck', is a proven industry presence with a proven track record, with several successful productions featuring Bruce Willis such as Apex, Breach, Deadlock, American Siege, and Vendetta to his name.
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There's certainly some sizzle in the air with this Indie feature 'Cold Deck.' A couple of heavy hitters like Baldwin and Dorff could bake some real heat into this film, but then again, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, isn't it?
The plot? Quite the nail-bitter. It's almost as if someone took 'Breaking Bad' and stirred it up with a generous helping of 'The Revenant'. Loggers, meth, hunting? Sounds like a cinematic joyride that could indeed keep us on the edge of our seats.
But throwing some serious shade onto this apparent drama is the SAG-AFTRA strike. The big hurdle's been deftly climbed already with completion before the march of this strike. Not to be that guy, but finishing a film in this climate is a feat in itself. Kudos, team.
There's something unnervingly intriguing about the ensemble cast. We've got the heavyweights, sure, in Baldwin and Dorff, but then there's an assortment of others that could be the perfect wildcards to shake things up. Standen, Welling, Metcalfe, Munro, and Martin: quite an unexpected platter of talent.
Then there's Baldwin. Fresh from his courtroom rendezvous, he dives headfirst into 'Cold Deck.' Is this an attempt to wash off the Rust? Personally, I can't help admire his resolve to push through and deliver what he does best.
All told, 'Cold Deck' promises some high stakes. It's an all-out triumph or bust, and frankly, I’m here for it. As Hollywood buzzes with curiosity, one fact remains irrefutable: Indie production or not, this film is playing for keeps.
