Action films have always attracted audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Whether it's superheroes fighting for the universe, dressed in capes and spandex, or assassins with all-black ensembles and an array of firearms, these blood-pumping experiences always get crowds going. More recently, though, it seems the action genre has been having a bit of a lull.
Besides the hero franchises that dominate the box office, there are very few action films that make names for themselves. This year, there have been quite a few films that have been trying to make their mark, and a couple of them seem to all have the same base -- government black sites. That is where one of the newest films finds itself.
Here is everything we know so far about the upcoming action film Black Site.
The Plot
Black Site follows CIA Agent Abby Trent, who manages an underground government facility (a black site) that houses all of the world’s most dangerous and high-value criminals. Trent is scheduled for reassignment, but before she can take on her new post Special Ops brings in a big target who happens to be at the top of every single Most Wanted List. Code name: Hatchet is notorious for murdering his enemies in gruesome ways, something Agent Trent happens to know about all too well.
Soon, though, Hatchet manages to escape and begins his reign of terror, killing officers left and right and releasing other detainees from their cells. Abby and the team work to hunt him down, but soon discover there could be moles in the facility compromising the op. Time is soon running out and Abby is left to question who she can really trust those around her and if she will have enough time to save everyone before the facilities protection protocol goes into effect.
The Cast & Crew
Although there seems to be not much left to the imagination in the film, the cast, stacked with action alum, might just make this film worth the watch. Jason Clarke portrays the vile “Most Wanted” Hatchet in the movie. Clarke is known for his work in films like Zero Dark Thirty (2012), White House Down (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015), and most recently, the HBO sports drama series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty as former Los Angeles Lakers player turned coach Jerry West.
CIA Agent Abby Trent is brought to life by the amazing Michelle Monaghan. Many will recognize Monaghan from films like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Eagle Eye (2008), and her role in the Mission Impossible franchise as Julia Meade. Monaghan was also in the first season of True Detective (2014), an HBO crime anthology series, as Maggie Hart, for which she received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.
The rest of the cast is filled out with action man Jai Courtney (The Suicide Squad, 2021), Pahlavi Sharda (The One, 2021), and many others.
Black Site is directed by Sophia Banks, who is most known for her short films and for whom this will be her feature film directorial debut. The film will also serve as a feature debut for writer Jinder Ho. The film is produced by Basil Iwanyk, who is known as the founder of Thunder Road Films. The film and television financing and production company has brought about films like Sicario (2015), The Town (2010), and, probably most notably, the John Wick franchise. He is joined in his producing duties by star Jason Clarke as well as Mike Gabrawy (Hotel Mumbai, 2018), Todd Fellman (Daybreakers, 2009), Erica Lee (John Wick franchise) and Craig McMahon (Three Thousand Years of Longing, 2022).
Release Date
The film will be released in the U.S. via Redbox Entertainment and Vertical Entertainment through On-Demand (VOD) on May 3, 2022.
Everything Else
The film is being marketed as an incredible action-thrill-ride and the director has been putting out the word of her own work to make sure the film was everything it could be. The director recently did an interview with ET, in which she said, “This is an action-packed ride; once it starts it doesn’t stop.” She also discussed her work with the film actors, stating that she and Clarke worked hard to make his character “seem scary, frightening and turn him into a ‘monster.’” She also praised Monaghan, claiming her as “perfect” for the role and calling her performance “grounded, emotionally impactful, and…just overall badass.”
When it came to the rest of the cast, Banks hailed Courtney as “very committed to the role,” taking on advice from friends in the special forces in order to make sure there was an authenticity to the work they did. She also praised Sharda for her “incredibly hard [work] on her fight sequences, which are epic.” Overall, it seems the film will be quite the ride, and Banks thinks “audiences will be excited” about it.