RZA Set To Direct Prison ‘Breakout’ Tale For Amasia Entertainment

Amasia Entertainment principals Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo have closed a deal for RZA to direct the upcoming feature Breakout, from a script by Richard D’Ovidio a story by Richard & Nicole D’Ovidio. The project re-teams Amasia with RZA, who stars in their Mr. Right, which has its world premiere at Friday’s closing night gala of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.

The project also marks the company’s second outing with D’Ovidio, who wrote The Call starring Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin. Filming is scheduled to begin filming early next year.

Breakout is about a young photographer who is falsely arrested in Bangladesh for drug trafficking. His prominent father turns to two old friends to help break his son out of prison and uncover the truth.

Breakout also marks RZA’s third turn in the director’s chair. He recently wrapped and is in post on Lionsgate’s Coco, which stars Azealia Banks, John David Washington, Hanna Mae Lee, Common and Jill Scott. Coco is slated for a March 16, 2016 release.

RZA is represented by CAA and Peter Nichols at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman, Inc.