After acquiring the rights to the Sterling K. Brown (This is Us) and Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere)-starring actioner last fall, Lionsgate has tapped Victoria Mahoney (Lovecraft Country) to direct Shadow Force, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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“Victoria is one of the most impressive and in-demand directors working today,” Erin Westerman, President of Production for Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a statement. “Like with all of her work, she will bring iconic action, warmth, style, and gravitas to Shadow Force.“
Written by Leon Chills, Shadow Force is being likened to the box office hit Mr. & Mrs. Smith, describing it as a fresh take on the 2005 action-comedy which starred award-winning actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Further details about the film’s plot are under wraps with different studios previously bidding for the film’s theatrical rights, with Lionsgate becoming the winning bidder. Mahoney recently set history as the first female and person of color director of a big-screen Star Wars project as the second-unit director of the closure of The Skywalker Saga, The Rise of Skywalker.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Victoria Mahoney,” Washington and Brown said in a statement. “Her vision is inspiring. Her enthusiasm is infectious. Her artistry and insight have already deepened this electrifying project.“
Washington along with Pilar Savone will produce the film through their Simpson Street banner. While Indian Meadows Productions’ Brown and Danielle Reardon will be producing along with Stephen “Dr” Love of Made with Love Media company.
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Washington is best known for her roles as Olivia Pope in the political thriller series Scandal which earned her two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Brown has won two Emmy Awards for his roles as Christopher Darden and Randall Pearson in the award-winning series’ American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and This Is Us, respectively.
(Photo Credit: Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)
