Once Upon a Time in Venice
| Once Upon a Time in Venice | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mark Cullen |
| Produced by |
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| Written by |
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| Starring | |
| Music by | Jeff Cardoni |
| Cinematography | Amir Mokri |
| Edited by | Matt Deizel |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | RLJ Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $457,224[1][2] |
Once Upon a Time in Venice is a 2017 American action comedy film directed and written by Mark and Robb Cullen in their directorial debuts. The film stars Bruce Willis, Jason Momoa, John Goodman, Thomas Middleditch, Famke Janssen, and Adam Goldberg with supporting roles by Christopher McDonald, Stephanie Sigman, and Wood Harris.
The film was released in a limited release and through video on demand on June 16, 2017, by RLJ Entertainment.
Plot
When a Los Angeles-based private detective named Steve Ford tries to retrieve his stolen dog from a gang, the gang's drug lord, "Spyder", forces the detective to do some jobs before getting the dog back.[3]
Cast
- Bruce Willis as Steve Ford, a Los Angeles private detective whose dog is stolen by a gang.[4]
- Jason Momoa as Spyder, a drug lord who forces Steve to do some jobs for the safety of his dog.[3]
- John Goodman as Dave Phillips, Steve's best friend.[5]
- Thomas Middleditch as John, an assistant in his operation to Steve.[3]
- Famke Janssen as Katey Ford, Steve's sister-in-law.[3]
- Adam Goldberg as Lou the Jew[6], a real estate developer
- Elisabeth Röhm as Anne Phillips, Dave’s ex
- Stephanie Sigman as Lupe, Spyder’s girlfriend.[5]
- Wood Harris as Prince
- Christopher McDonald as Mr. Carter
- Adrian Martinez as Tino, the owner of a local pizza store who wants to help Steve.[5]
- Kal Penn as Rajeesh, a grocery store clerk.[5]
- Ken Davitian as Yuri[7]
- Victor Ortiz[7] as Chewy
- Emily Robinson as Taylor[5]
- Ralph Garman as Bum
- Ron Funches as Mocha
- Jessica Gomes as Nola
Production
By May 16, 2015, Bruce Willis was cast to star in a comedy playing a Los Angeles private detective whose dog is stolen by a gang.[4] Mark Cullen and Robb Cullen would make their directorial debut on the film based on their own script,[8] and they would also produce the film along with Nicolas Chartier, Zev Foreman, and Laura Ford, while Voltage Pictures financing and selling the film at Cannes.[4] In June 2015, Jason Momoa, Thomas Middleditch and Famke Janssen joined the cast of the film, Momoa to play the gang leader who forces Willis' character to do some jobs for his dog, Middleditch to play Willis' assistant in his operation, while Janssen would play Willis' sister-in-law.[3] Later on June 30, 2015, John Goodman, Stephanie Sigman, Adrian Martinez, Kal Penn, and Emily Robinson round out the remaining cast of the film, Goodman playing Willis' best friend, Sigman playing Momoa's character's girlfriend, Martinez playing the owner of a local pizza store who wants to help Willis' character, while Penn would play a grocery store clerk.[5] On July 13, 2015, Adam Goldberg was set to play Lou the Jew in the film.[6] Next day on July 14, 2015, four more joined the cast of the film, including Tyga, Ken Davitian, David Arquette, and Victor Ortiz.[7]
Actor Ralph Garman was meant to play a role in the movie, but he revealed on his Hollywood Babble-On podcast that his character was written out of the film when Bruce Willis refused to shoot a scene between them. The Cullen brothers offered him another role, and again, Willis declined to shoot the scene. The next day, the producers of the film stated that the scene needed to be cut, leaving Garman without an appearance in the film. The story mirrored that of his co-host, director Kevin Smith, who had similar stories of Willis' behaviour during the filming of Cop Out.[9]
Principal photography began on June 29, 2015, in Venice, Los Angeles.[10] The film was shooting under the working title Going Under.[11]
Release
In April 2017, RLJ Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film.[12] It was released in a limited release and through video on demand on June 16, 2017.[13]
References
- ↑ "Once Upon a Time in Venice". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Once Upon a Time in Venice". The Numbers. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Kit, Borys (June 16, 2015). "Jason Momoa, Thomas Middleditch and Famke Janssen Join Bruce Willis in Action Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Jaafar, Ali (May 16, 2015). "Bruce Willis Re-Teams With 'Cop Out's Mark And Robb Cullen For Private Investigator Comedy- Cannes". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fleming Jr, Mike (June 30, 2015). "John Goodman & Bond Girl Stephanie Sigman Added To Voltage’s Untitled Bruce Willis Comedy". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- 1 2 Pedersen, Erik (July 13, 2015). "Dianna Agron Lands Lead In Indie ‘Hollow In The Land'; Adam Goldberg Joins Bruce Willis Detective Pic". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Hipes, Patrick (July 14, 2015). "Bruce Willis’ Detective Comedy Adds Four More". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- ↑ Kit, Borys (June 16, 2015). "BJason Momoa, Thomas Middleditch and Famke Janssen Join Bruce Willis in Action Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ↑ Smith, Kevin, Ralph Garman (August 14, 2015). "Hollywood Babble-On #220" (Podcast). SModcast. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
- ↑ McNary, Dave (May 16, 2015). "Cannes: Bruce Willis Starring in Detective Comedy". Variety. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Bruce Willis and David Arquette filming "Going Under"". ContactMusic.com. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
- ↑ Hipes, Patrick (April 4, 2017). "Bruce Willis’ ‘Once Upon A Time In Venice’ Sells To RLJ, Sets June Release". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
- ↑ McNary, Dave (April 4, 2017). "Bruce Willis’ Action-Comedy ‘Once Upon a Time in Venice’ Lands at RLJ Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2017.