Steven Soderbergh and Gina Carano unite for Knockout
Story by Jack Foley
STEVEN Soderbergh is to direct a new all-action spy thriller that will mark the screen debut of mixed martial arts circuit fighter Gina Carano.
Knockout is described by Variety as “a flat out action film in the James Bond mold” that will follow a girl (played by Carano) from the wrong side of the tracks who gets a second chance to use her skills for constructive purposes.
It will also share similarities with the likes of French classic La Femme Nikita and Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
Carano is a lightweight division fighter trained in Muay Thai who has compiled a 7-1 record. She was discovered by Soderbergh on the MMA circuit and has already featured in a couple of movies and a documentary about herself, called Ring Girls.
Shooting on Knockout is scheduled to begin in late January 2010 using locations such as the US, Ireland and Turkey. Soderbergh also intends to surround Carano with known actors in supporting roles.
The director’s next two films are Matt Damon starrer The Informant, which is due to be at the London Film Festival, and The Girlfriend Experience, which is due to debut at the forthcoming Raindance Festival
Next story: Final Destination tops US box office for second week