Thursday is D-Day, the 75th anniversary of the day when Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, to fight the Nazis in World War II. To commemorate the memory of those lost there, Cinedigm is releasing a feature film with a handful of actors who know a thing or two about fighting.
“D-Day” stars MMA fighters Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture (Couture is also a former U.S. Army Sergeant) alongside Weston Cage Coppola (Nicolas Cage’s son) and Jesse Kove in their action-heavy take on the Battle of Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
“These beaches are vital to winning this war. Thousands of lives depend on it,” Liddell says in the trailer.
Cinedigm acquired the North American distribution rights to the film and is planning a theatrical, on-demand and digital release on Sept. 13.
Written by Geoff Meed and directed by Nick Lyon, “D-Day” specifically follows the Army Rangers of the 2nd Battalion as Lt. Col. James Rudder (Cage Coppola), Lt. Gen. Omar Bradley (Liddell), and Maj. Cleveland Lytle (Couture) lead the 2nd Battalion behind enemy lines and into a firefight against an enemy that greatly outnumbers them. The soldiers of the second battalion specifically scaled a 100-foot cliff after landing on the beaches and managed to secure a strategic position that allowed them to destroy a batter of cannons seized by the Germans.
“The Asylum has delivered a dramatic, action-packed WWII movie anchored by a strong leading performance from Weston Cage Coppola,” Yolanda Macias, Cinedigm’s executive vice president of acquisitions said in a statement. “With the 75th anniversary of D-Day this year, the film conveys the hardship and sacrifice of battle and pays tribute to the brave soldiers who endured so much to achieve this pivotal victory for us.”
“We have a long track record of success with Cinedigm,” The Asylum COO Paul Bales said in a statement. “With a smart, collaborative and experienced team in place, they really understand the evolving marketplace for independent movies, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them on ‘D-Day.’”
The film was produced by David Michael Latt (“Z Nation”) and the executive producer is David Rimawi (“Black Summer”). The deal was negotiated by Melody Fowler, vice president of acquisitions, on behalf of Cinedigm, with Kendall Anlian, vice president of worldwide sales, on behalf of The Asylum.
Here’s the full synopsis:
Some people called it a suicide, but for the Rangers of the 2nd Battalion, that’s another word for mission. When an elite group of American soldiers are ordered to take out a series of German machine gun nests, they find themselves blindly venturing into hostile territory. Outnumbered and outgunned they must risk life and limb as they cross treacherous terrain, never knowing where the enemy might be hiding. Based on the incredible true story of heroes Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder (Weston Cage Coppola), Lieutenant General Omar Bradley (Chuck Liddell) & Major Cleveland Lytle (Randy Couture) and a day that was destined to change history.
Watch the exclusive trailer for “D-Day” above.