This project’s got direct-to-BluRay written all over it. The components include a boring cast: Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker (reteaming after both serving time on "The Shield"), Ray Liotta and Common, a first-time director (David A. Armstrong), and a title so generic, you’ll be convinced there’s another film in theatres/in a Walmart bargain bin right now with the exact same name (“Pawn”).
Let’s not jump to conclusions, though. What’s the movie actually about? “An independent crime film”—that sounds promising—“centered around a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong.”
At least no one in the film becomes entangled in a game of chess. Oh, wait: “…an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.”
Chiklis’s producing shingle, Extravaganza Films, is behind the film. The screenwriter who wrote this thing, Jay Anthony White, has one previous feature credit, something called “Project 313.” This whole undertaking sounds like the sort of thing Bruce Willis would co-star in with 50 Cent. Chiklis hasn’t been very busy since his show “No Ordinary Family” was cancelled. But, Forest Whitaker is an Oscar-winning actor, and Common is a talented hip-hop artist, there must be more constructive ways for them to spend their time.
‘Pawn’ starts shooting this Thursday, December 1st. Here’s hoping Chikilis and Co. prove everybody wrong. [Deadline]