EXCLUSIVE: Following the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning this week in Cannes, we can reveal that one of the franchise’s unsung heroes, second unit director and stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood is set to make his directorial debut with action-comedy Mister.
Eastwood is teaming with John Wick producer Thunder Road and Bright White Lights on the feature, which the partners are discussing at the Cannes market.
The synopsis reads: “When a man wakes up in a strange house covered in blood, he comes to realize his true identity while fighting off contract killers from his past – including everyone from his exes to his best friend. To get out, he teams up with his estranged daughter who has also ended up in the family business, but they will need to repair their relationship in order to survive.”
Eastwood, one of the world’s top action directors, has served as stunt coordinator on movies including Inception, Edge Of Tomorrow, James Bond: Spectre and Quantum Of Solace, Salt, Mr. And Mrs. Smith and Troy. He transitioned into second unit and action directing and is known for his work on Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Jumanji: The Next Level, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Men In Black: International, and Tom Cruise’s The Mummy.
Pic was written by Bright White Light’s Nicki Cortese and Nick Inglis. Producers include Wayne Marc Godrey and Nicki Cortese for Bright White Light (The Foreigner), Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee for Thunder Road (John Wick franchise). Alexis Garcia for Cat 5 (The Working Man), Chase Vergari, Ibrahim Mohammed and Eric Handler are executive producing.
Set to begin production in the fall, the film is being financed by Bright White Light and currently finalizing the cast, which will be announced soon. Will Flynn is overseeing for Thunder Road. Sophie Meyer and Alex Bigman for Bright White Light.
“After 30 years of directing the action unit on some of Hollywood’s most successful films, and spending the last 12 years working alongside Tom Cruise and being part of the last four Mission films, I knew I was ready to move into directing and took my time finding the right project, ultimately landing on Mister,” said director Wade Eastwood.
He continued: “At my core, I am passionate about telling stories that captivate audiences with complex and interesting characters in fun worlds while also having action sequences that expand possibilities. Nicki’s script beautifully balances comedy and action and the relationship between Mister and his daughter feels fresh and funny but yet familiar, painting a canvas that throws the audience into a father daughter relationship that hasn’t been seen before.”
“We could not be more thrilled to have Wade join the team and help us build the world of Mister. He is one of, if not, the best action directors working in Hollywood today, continually raising the bar as to what can be achieved when it comes to designing cinematic action sequences that become iconic. With non-stop action and a script that is equally funny and emotional, I have no doubt that audiences will really enjoy the ride,” said Wayne Marc Godfrey, CEO of Bright White Light and producer of Mister. “Working with Basil and Erica again is such a joy. They are the best at what they do and we compliment each other so well”.
Basil Iwanyk, CEO of Thunder Road, added: “Mister launches an action franchise and world that audiences will love – an enigmatic lead character, emotion based on family ties, a glimpse of a wider world, an undercurrent of twisted humour and an unfolding mystery of who our lead is. Wade is a director that knows exactly what he wants and has complete command of the material.”
Eastwood is represented by UTA.
