Mel Gibson and Frank Grillo will star in “Leo From Toledo,” an action thriller directed by Joe Carnahan.
Based on an original script from Dan Casey, “Leo From Toledo” follows a former killer for the Kansas City mob, now hiding in witness protection, who has trouble remembering simple things. What he does remember he wants to forget. But what he has forgotten has now made him a hunted man with precious little time to save what he does have left: his estranged daughter and granddaughter.
Lawrence Grey is producing through his Grey Matter Productions banner, alongside Carnahan and Grillo under their WarParty Films banner. Noah Rosen will executive produce alongside Ben Everard of Grey Matter Productions.
MadRiver International will launch international sales at AFM this week, and CAA Media Finance (arranged the financing) is representing domestic rights.
Principal photography is set to commence in Q1 2020.
Gibson, Grillo and Carnahan are also in post-production on the much-anticipated “Boss Level,” an action sci-fi thriller starring Grillo and Gibson, which Carnahan directed, and Grillo and Carnahan’s production company WarParty Films produced.
“I’ve seldom had more fun than sitting in a writer’s room with producer Lawrence Grey and writer-director Joe Carnahan, while we spitballed on this story. It’s a tight, fast thriller, but its quirky observations had me in stitches,” Gibson said via statement. “It’s a real treat to be able to work with Joe and Frank Grillo again after the great experience I had with them on ‘Boss Level’ last year. Joe is one of the most efficient, whimsical action directors I’ve ever known, and ‘Leo From Toledo’ is the perfect showcase for his talent. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this story and character with this phenomenal team.”
“‘Leo’ is the kind of movie I love to make, it’s funny and heartfelt with a ton of great action,” Carnahan added. “Being able to work with Mel, and Frank again is a real gift. It rarely happens that you get to make films with the people you love and respect, so I consider myself blessed. I feel like Leo is a ‘return to form’ of sorts for Mel. The script allows him to be both funny and dramatic at different turns and I can’t wait to see what he does with that character.”
Gibson’s previous action films include the “Mad Max” and “Lethal Weapon” franchises. His latest starring role was in 2019’s “The Professor and the Madman,” where he played Oxford professor James Murray. Grillo is best known for portraying Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also portrayed Alvey Kulina in the TV series “Kingdom.”
Carnahan and Gibson are represented by CAA, and Grillo is represented by CAA and Management 360.