New Jiu Jitsu Movie!

**Gezere** · Posted On: 4/13/2007 6:27pm

There is a new BJJ movie that will start filming in May.

Sony, Mamet put on 'Redbelt'
Film set in Jiu-Jitsu fight world
By ANNE THOMPSON

David Mamet
Mamet
Sony Pictures Classics is back in business with David Mamet, who will direct his original screenplay "Redbelt," which is set in the Jiu-Jitsu fight world of West Los Angeles.

SPC will fully finance and globally distribute the $10 million actioner, which marks a return to the indie film world -- as well as the theme of con games -- for Mamet, who has lately been shepherding his CBS series "The Unit."

Set to start production in May in L.A., "Redbelt" is an American samurai film set in an underworld inhabited by bouncers, cage-fighters, cops and special forces operatives.

"Redbelt" stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a Jiu-Jitsu master who has eschewed prizefighting tooperate a self-defense studio. When he is conned by a cabal of movie stars and fight promoters, he must enter the ring to fightin order to regain his honor.

"Redbelt" will be produced by Chrisann Verges ("Warm Springs," "Mrs. Harris"). Ejiofor's credits include "Children of Men," "Kinky Boots" and the upcoming "American Gangster."

SPC co-presidents Michael Barker and Tom Bernard had been pushing Mamet for the past three years to bring his next low-budgeter to them. Mamet first worked with SPC on 1997 sleeper hit "The Spanish Prisoner," which Barker and Bernard acquired at the Toronto Film Festival. They also financed and distributed his 1999 pic "The Winslow Boy."

More casting is in the works; likely members include frequent Mamet collaborator magician Ricky Jay and Mamet's wife, actress Rebecca Pidgeon. SPC plans a summer 2008 release.

Already it will be better than BRAZILIAN BRAWL even if it comes off cheesy.

**UpaLumpa** · Posted On: 4/13/2007 6:42pm

This sounds retarded.

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 4/13/2007 6:53pm

I hope Alec Baldwin stars in it

JP · Posted On: 4/13/2007 7:57pm

David Mamet is the man. I mean that has to be the stupidest premise for a movie not starring Van Damme I've ever heard but he can probably make it work. Anybody seen Spartan? I think that was his last feature film and it rocked. Chiwetel Ejiofor has been great in everything I've seen of his too.

**Bayou** · Posted On: 4/13/2007 9:43pm

Why is it called Red Belt? Is the hero supposed to be Helio Gracie or something? Now THAT would be an awesome movie.

**Stick** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 12:16am

Mamet does good work, Spartan is fucking ecellent. Chiwetel Ejiofer was great in Children of Men and Serenity.

I look forward to this, it should certainly be better than Brazilian Brawl.

PS, why is this in DHS and not in YMAS?

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 1:31am

Originally Posted by Stick

Mamet does good work, Spartan is fucking ecellent. Chiwetel Ejiofer was great in Children of Men and Serenity.

And Kinky Boots. Seriously the guy's versatile

**Virus** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 6:09am

Originally Posted by UpaLumpa

This sounds retarded.

Seconded.

**PoleFighter** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 7:28am

David Mamet is amazing, both as a writer and director. This will be interesting.

**slideyfoot** · Posted On: 4/14/2007 9:20am

Originally Posted by Soju - Joe

And Kinky Boots. Seriously the guy's versatile

The fact Chiwetel Ejiofor is in it definitely makes me want to see this - as has been mentioned, he's been brilliant in everything I've seen him in so far (Serenity and Kinky Boots in my case, and that little snippet of Love Actually). He also got plenty of acclaim for his role in Dirty Pretty Things, though I haven't watched that one yet.

Anyone that can convincingly play an assassin, a drag queen and a doctor seems worth a look.