Spy thriller The Rhythm Section halted production back in January due to a hand injury actress Blake Lively suffered on set while filming an action sequence. Production has resumed, according to THR, and now Sterling K. Brown (Black Panther, Hotel Artemis, The Predator) has joined the cast. What do we know about the film?
What's it about?
First published in 1999, Mark Burnell's novel follows Stephanie Patrick, a woman whose family has been killed in a suspicious airplane crash on a flight that she was meant to travel on. Recruited by a secret intelligence agency, she agrees to become an assassin, but only if she is allowed to exact murderous revenge against those responsible for the death of her family.
She assumes multiple identities to carry out her deadly missions, then begins to question the organization that hired her as well as her own thirst for vengeance. Burnell has since published three additional spy thrillers featuring Stephanie Patrick, so the potential for sequels is certainly an option if the first film is successful.
Why is Lively a great choice to star?
The actress leapt from TV's Gossip Girl to memorable big-screen roles in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Town (opposite Ben Affleck), Green Lantern (opposite her now-husband Ryan Reynolds) and Oliver Stone's Savages. She gave a notable starring performance in The Age of Adaline and then really stunned in The Shallows, holding the screen on her own opposite a bloodthirsty shark.
She stars in Paul Feig's upcoming crime-mystery drama A Simple Favor, which looks very good. So The Rhythm Section will serve as an excellent follow up, revealing her in an intriguing and physical role that could launch a franchise.
Who else is starring?
In addition to Lively and Brown, Jude Law will star, though his role has not yet been revealed.
Who is producing and directing?
The spy thriller will be produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli; they're known for the James Bond franchise. Reed Morano is directing; she is an experienced cinematographer who made her directorial debut on the drama Meadowland in 2015. She then directed episodes of TV's Halt and Catch Fire, Billions and The Handmaid's Tale.
When can we see it?
Paramount Pictures has scheduled The Rhythm Section to open in theaters on February 22, 2019.
