The Mule (2018 film)
The Mule | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Clint Eastwood |
Screenplay by | Nick Schenk |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Yves Bélanger |
Edited by | Joel Cox |
Music by | Arturo Sandoval |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Mule is an upcoming American crime film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also plays the lead role. The screenplay is by Nick Schenk, based on The New York Times article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule" by Sam Dolnick.
The film is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran in his 80s who became a drug dealer and courier for the Sinaloa Cartel. It is Eastwood's first acting project since 2012's Trouble with the Curve, and his first starring role in a film directed by him since 2008's Gran Torino. The film also stars Bradley Cooper, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Peña, Dianne Wiest, and Andy García. Filming began on June 4, 2018 in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia.
It is scheduled to be released on December 14, 2018, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Plot
Cast
- Clint Eastwood as Earl Stone
- Bradley Cooper as Colin Bates
- Laurence Fishburne
- Michael Peña
- Dianne Wiest as Mary
- Andy García
- Alison Eastwood as Iris
- Taissa Farmiga as Ginny
- Ignacio Serricchio
- Loren Dean
- Victor Rasuk
- Manny Montana
- Clifton Collins Jr.
- Noel Gugliemi as Bald Rob
- Robert LaSardo as Emilio
- Eugene Cordero
Production
Development
DEA Special Agent Jeff Moore, who arrested 87-year-old Leo Sharp in 2011, was interviewed by The New York Times regarding the investigation into the world's oldest and most prolific drug mule. The rights to the article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule," written by Sam Dolnick,[1] were sold to Imperative Entertainment in 2014.
Imperative Entertainment hired Ruben Fleischer to direct and produce the film.[2] In February 2015, Nick Schenk was hired to adapt the article into a film's screenplay.[3]
In January 2018, it was revealed that Clint Eastwood would next star, direct and produce the film, titled The Mule, for Warner Bros. Pictures and Imperative.[4] Producers include Eastwood for Malpaso Productions along with Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera and Jessica Meier, and Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas for Imperative Entertainment.[5]
Casting
In January 2018, Eastwood joined the film to play the role of Earl Stone (Leo Sharp), a man in his 80s who is working as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel.[4] In May 2018, Bradley Cooper joined the cast to play the DEA agent Colin Bates (Jeff Moore), chasing Stone, and along with Cooper, Lobo Sebastian also joined the film.[6][7] In June 2018, Dianne Wiest and Michael Peña joined the film's cast to play Earl Stone's ex-wife and the drug cartel enforcer, respectively.[8] More cast was also confirmed, including Laurence Fishburne as a DEA special agent in charge, Alison Eastwood as Stone's daughter, Taissa Farmiga as Stone's granddaughter, and Ignacio Serricchio as Stone's cartel handler.[5] That same month, Loren Dean joined the cast of the film.[9] In July 2018, Victor Rasuk was also cast in the film, in which Manny Montana will also star.[10]
Filming
Principal photography on the film began on June 4, 2018 in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia.[8][5] It will also be shot in Las Cruces, New Mexico.[5]
Release
The film is scheduled to be released on December 14, 2018 in the United States[11] and on January 2019 in the United Kingdom.[12]
Box office projections
In the United States and Canada, The Mule will be released alongside Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Mortal Engines, and is projected to gross $15–17 million in its opening weekend.[13]
References
- ^ Dolnick, Sam (June 11, 2014). "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ^ Yamato, Jen (November 4, 2014). "Ruben Fleischer To Direct Movie About 90-Year-Old Drug Mule". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (February 24, 2015). "'The Judge' Writer Nick Schenk to Adapt Elderly Drug Mule Tale for 'Zombieland' Director (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (January 30, 2018). "Clint Eastwood Circling 90-Year-Old Drug Courier Tale "The Mule" at Warner Bros., Imperative (Exclusive)". The Tracking Board. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Clint Eastwood's "The Mule" Begins Production". Business Wire. June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (May 18, 2018). "Bradley Cooper to Star With Clint Eastwood in 'The Mule' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (May 24, 2018). "Lobo Sebastian Cast In 'The Mule' & 'Words On Bathroom Walls'; Martha Kelly Joins 'Corporate Animals'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ a b Kit, Borys (June 4, 2018). "Dianne Wiest, Michael Pena Join Clint Eastwood's 'The Mule' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Busch, Anita (June 11, 2018). "Loren Dean Joins 'The Mule'; Camrus Johnson Boards 'The Sun Is Also A Star'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik; D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 17, 2018). "Victor Rasuk Joins Clint Eastwood's 'The Mule'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 27, 2018). "Clint Eastwood's 'The Mule' Kicks Its Way Onto December Release Calendar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
- ^ "'The Mule' is in UK Cinemas January 2019". Filmoria.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 21, 2018). "'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Swinging To $30M-$40M Start – Early Tracking". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
External links
- 2018 films
- Upcoming films
- American films
- American crime drama films
- 2010s crime drama films
- Crime films based on actual events
- Drama films based on actual events
- Warner Bros. films
- Malpaso Productions films
- Biographical films about drug traffickers
- Films shot in Atlanta
- Films directed by Clint Eastwood
- Films produced by Clint Eastwood
- Films about Mexican drug cartels